Mandibular Augmentation Implants, Methods, and Uses

ABSTRACT

The present specification discloses a method of augmenting or enhancing a chin of an individual comprising excising the left and right anterior mental fibrous condensation anteriorly and elevating the left and right medial mandibular and mandibulocutaneous ligaments to create an extended subperiosteal pocket as well as mandibular implants designed to be implanted using such methods.

This application claims the benefit of priority and is entitled to thefiling date pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication 63/087,801, filed Oct. 5, 2020, the content of which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates, in some aspects, to mandibular augmentationimplants and methods of implantation.

The chin is an important and prominent region of the lower face. Forexample, a well-defined jawline structure is the cornerstone of abalanced attractive face, male or female. As such, many individuals arebothered by a recessed or “weak” chin as it detracts from their facialappearance. A recessed chin can produce facial features which lackaesthetically pleasing proportion including, e.g., creating a full or“double” chin, making a perfectly sized nose appear too large, or makingthe neck look “fleshy”.

Mandibular augmentation or enhancement surgery, also called mentoplasty,can correct a weak or recessed chin by strengthening the appearance of areceding chin, providing proportion to the chin, improving the contoursof neck and jawline, and/or restoring an overall balance to theappearance and profile of an individual's face. Typically, surgeryinvolves placement of an implant around a patient's existing jawline toaugment the size and shape of the chin and achieve a more naturallyattractive balance between facial features.

However, the anatomical features of the chin have limited theeffectiveness of current surgical procedures for mandibular augmentationor enhancement. For example, retaining ligaments of the mandible preventthe extent to which a chin implant can be positioned, therebyconstraining the size of a chin implant, and limiting the region a chinimplant can be placed. These size and placement limitations placerestrictions to the extent a chin and be augmented or enhanced.Therefore, there is a need for improved surgical procedures formandibular augmentation or enhancement. The present specificationdiscloses such improved surgical procedures as well as novel chinimplants that can now be advantageously used because of these improvedsurgical procedures for mandibular augmentation or enhancement.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present specification disclose a mandibular implantcomprising a body having a substantially U-shaped structure comprising afirst end region and a second end region, the body sized and dimensionedto an axial length configured to extend from a point laying in a regionbetween an attachment location of a left mandibular osteocutaneousligament and a left gonial angle to a region between the attachmentlocation of the right mandibular osteocutaneous ligament and the rightgonial angle. The disclosed mandibular implant can have an axial lengththat extends past the attachment location of the left mandibularosteocutaneous ligament by about 3 mm to about 5 cm and extends past theattachment location of the right mandibular osteocutaneous ligament byabout 3 mm to about 5 cm, and can have an axial length that extends tothe left gonial angle and to the right gonial angle. The mandibularimplant of claim 1, wherein a body of a mandibular implant disclosedherein can comprise a mental arch, a left lateral arm, and a rightlateral arm and can further comprise a ramus extension projectingsuperiorly from a top edge of the first end region of the body or leftlateral arm and/or a ramus extension projecting superiorly from a topedge of the second end region of the body or right lateral arm. Inaddition, a body of a mandibular implant disclosed herein can furthercomprise one or more protrusions projecting radially outward from anouter surface of the body, and/or one or more tabs projectingposteriorly from an inner surface of the body, such tabs comprising abase tab, a submental tab, an extended tab, or any combination thereof.The disclosed body has an outer surface and an inner surface each orwhich can be smooth or textured. The disclosed body is composed ofimplantable biomaterial and can be flexible and can have a unitarystructure or comprise an outer shell and an inner core, with the shellbeing one unitary layer or a plurality of layers. The disclosed body canalso be configured with a hole interior space that can be substantiallyfilled with a filler.

Other aspects of the present specification disclose a method ofmandibular augmentation or enhancement. The disclosed methods comprisesaccessing one or more segments of a left and/or a right anterior mentalfibrous condensation; releasing one or more segments of the left and/orthe right anterior mental fibrous condensation from their one or morerespective mandibular attachment sites; subperiosteally releasing one ormore mandibular ligaments from their respective one or more mandibularattachment points to form a subperiosteal implantation cavity; andinserting of a mandibular implant into the subperiosteal implantationcavity. A method disclosed herein can create a subperiostealimplantation cavity that extended laterally any distance past anattachment site of the one or more mandibular ligaments such as amandibulocutaneous ligament. After insertion the mandibular implantusing a method disclosed herein, the implant acts as a spacer tomaintain periosteum above the mandible and inhibit periostealre-attachment and can augment a jaw area by a volume that is at leastabout 20% more than the volume of the mandibular implant. A methoddisclosed herein provides for the inserted mandibular implant to augmenta jaw area from a point posterior to the location of an attachment siteof a left mandibulocutaneous ligament to a point posterior to thelocation an attachment site of a right mandibulocutaneous ligament. Amethod disclosed herein can lift, reduces or eliminates jowls and beperformed with or without a concomitant face lift procedure and/or adermal filler procedure. Other aspects of the present specificationdisclose a mandibular implant disclosed herein for use in theaugmentation or enhancement of a jaw of an individual. Other aspects ofthe present specification disclose a use of a mandibular implantdisclosed herein in the augmentation or enhancement of a jaw of anindividual.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate aspects of the disclosed subjectmatter in at least one of its exemplary embodiments, which are furtherdefined in detail in the following description. Features, elements, andaspects of the disclosure are referenced by numerals with like numeralsin different drawings representing the same, equivalent, or similarfeatures, elements, or aspects, in accordance with one or moreembodiments. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis insteadbeing placed upon illustrating the principles herein described andprovided by exemplary embodiments of the invention. In such drawings:

FIGS. 1A-C are illustrations of a human mandible with FIG. 1A showing ananterior view;

FIG. 1B showing an oblique left lateral view; and FIG. 1C showing aposterior view;

FIGS. 2A-B are illustrations of facial retaining ligaments with FIG. 2Ashowing true retaining ligaments supporting the subcutaneous tissues ofthe face; and FIG. 2B showing three false ligaments of the face;

FIGS. 3A-B are illustrations of facial condensation segments andretaining ligaments of the mandible with FIG. 3A showing the position ofthe left and right anterior mental fibrous condensation segments; andFIG. 3B showing the positions of the left anterior mental fibrouscondensation, the left medial mandibular ligament, and the leftmandibulocutaneous ligament;

FIGS. 4A-4F show steps of a method of performing a chin augmentation orenhancement disclosed herein inserting of a mandibular implant disclosedherein from mentum to gonial angle with FIG. 4A illustrating theincision of the skin, fascia, and periosteum down to the bone; FIG. 4Billustrating the continuing incision with one hand while locating andprotecting the mental nerve with the other, and the excision of theanterior mental fibrous condensation segments; FIG. 4C illustrating thedirection and location of the subperiosteal implant cavity to be createdusing a subperiosteal elevator; FIG. 4D illustrating creating a pocketwith a subperiosteal elevator and releasing the medial mandibular andmandibulocutaneous ligaments by detaching the periosteum from themandible; FIG. 4E showing a photograph of an individual before a chinaugmentation or enhancement disclosed herein; and FIG. 4F showing aphotograph of the same individual after a chin augmentation orenhancement disclosed herein showing a superior clinical result wherebythe implant lifts and improves the jowl;

FIGS. 5A-D is a single-piece mandibular implant disclosed hereincomprising a mental arch and thin left and right lateral arms with eacharm being configured to extend along the jawline to its respectivegonial angle with FIG. 5A showing a top plan view; FIG. 5B showing a topleft perspective view; FIG. 5C showing a front plan view; and FIG. 5Dshowing a left plan view;

FIGS. 6A-D is a single-piece mandibular implant disclosed hereincomprising a mental arch and full left and right lateral arms with eacharm being configured to extend along the jawline to midway between itsrespective mental foramen and gonial angle with FIG. 6A showing a topplan view; FIG. 6B showing a top left perspective view; FIG. 6C showinga front plan view; and FIG. 6D showing a left plan view;

FIGS. 7A-D is a single-piece mandibular implant disclosed hereincomprising a mental arch and full left and right lateral arms with eacharm comprising a protrusion and being configured to extend along thejawline to its respective gonial angle with FIG. 7A showing a top planview; FIG. 7B showing a top left perspective view; FIG. 7C showing afront plan view; and FIG. 7D showing a left plan view;

FIGS. 8A-D is a single-piece mandibular implant disclosed hereincomprising a mental arch and full left and right lateral arms with eacharm comprising a protrusion and being configured to extend along thejawline to its respective gonial angle with FIG. 8A showing a top planview; FIG. 8B showing a top left perspective view; FIG. 8C showing afront plan view; and FIG. 8D showing a left plan view;

FIGS. 9A-D is a single-piece mandibular implant disclosed hereincomprising a mental arch and full left and right lateral arms with eacharm comprising a ramus extension and being configured to extend alongthe jawline to its respective gonial angle with FIG. 9A showing a topplan view; FIG. 9B showing a top left perspective view; FIG. 9C showinga front plan view; and FIG. 9D showing a left plan view;

FIGS. 10A-D is a single-piece mandibular implant disclosed hereincomprising a mental arch and full left and right lateral arms with eacharm comprising a protrusion and ramus extension and being configured toextend along the jawline to its respective gonial angle with FIG. 10Ashowing a top plan view; FIG. 10B showing a top left perspective view;FIG. 10C showing a front plan view; and FIG. 10D showing a left planview;

FIGS. 11A-D is a single-piece mandibular implant disclosed hereincomprising a mental arch and full left and right lateral arms with eacharm comprising a base tab on its inner surface and being configured toextend along the jawline to its respective gonial angle with FIG. 11Ashowing a top plan view; FIG. 11B showing a top left perspective view;FIG. 11C showing a front plan view; and FIG. 11D showing a left planview;

FIGS. 12A-D is a single-piece mandibular implant disclosed hereincomprising a mental arch and full left and right lateral arms with themental arch comprising a submental tab located on its inner surface andeach arm being configured to extend along the jawline to its respectivegonial angle with FIG. 12A showing a top plan view; FIG. 12B showing atop left perspective view; FIG. 12C showing a front plan view; and FIG.12D showing a left plan view;

FIGS. 13A-D is a single-piece mandibular implant disclosed hereincomprising a mental arch and full left and right lateral arms with themental arch comprising a submental tab located on its inner surface andeach arm comprising a base tab on its inner surface and being configuredto extend along the jawline to its respective gonial angle with FIG. 13Ashowing a top plan view; FIG. 13B showing a top left perspective view;FIG. 13C showing a front plan view; and FIG. 13D showing a left planview;

FIGS. 14A-D is a single-piece mandibular implant disclosed hereincomprising a mental arch and full left and right lateral arms with eacharm being configured to extend along the jawline to its respectivegonial angle and the implant comprising an extended tab on the innersurface of the mental arch which extends into a portion of each arm withFIG. 14A showing a top plan view; FIG. 14B showing a top leftperspective view; FIG. 14C showing a front plan view; and FIG. 14Dshowing a left plan view; and

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of a single-piece mandibular implantdisclosed herein comprising a mental arch and full left and rightlateral arms with each arm with each arm comprising two protrusions andbeing configured to extend along the jawline to its respective gonialangle and the implant comprising an extended tab on the inner surface ofthe mental arch which extends into a portion of each arm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As illustrated in FIGS. 1A-C, the mandible is the largest bone in thehuman skull and comprises three parts, the central body, the left ramusand the right ramus. The body is the anterior portion of the mandible.The mandibular body is a substantially U-shaped structure, with acentral front portion (or base of the U) and the two side portions (orstem of the U) and is bound by a superior alveolar border and inferiorbase border and external (or anterior) and internal (or posterior)surfaces. The alveolar border contains the hollow cavities in which thelower sixteen teeth reside while the base border forms the jawline.

Referring to FIGS. 1A & B, the central front portion of the mandibularbody is generally rectangular in shape. Its external surface containsthe mandibular symphysis, a midline ridge that divides this portion intotwo halves. The inferior end of the ridge expands laterally to give riseto the centrally located mental protuberance, a prominence that formsthe chin. This prominence extends laterally from the left and rightinferior portion of the mental protuberance to give rise to the left andright mental tubercles. The mandibular symphysis and superior edge ofthe mental protuberance and left and right mental tubercles create aleft and right depression on either side of the midline. These twodepressions each contain a mental foramen, an opening in which themental nerve and vessels exit. The left- and right-side portions of themandibular body are each curved rectangular in shape. The externalsurface of each can be divided into two portions, the superiorly locatedalveolar portion and the inferiorly located, horizontally curved baseportion. The jawline is formed by the lower portions of the left andright mental tubercles and the lower portions of the base portion whichtogether define the base border.

The left and right ramus are each a vertical process arising superiorlyfrom each side portion of the mandibular body. The rami join the body atthe angle of the mandible, also known as the gonial angle. At thesuperior aspect of each ramus, the coronoid and condylar processesarticulate with the temporal bone to create the temporomandibular jointwhich permits mobility.

Covering the mandible is the periosteum. The periosteum is a denseirregular connective tissue divided into an outer “fibrous layer” andinner “cambium layer” (or “osteogenic layer”). The fibrous layercontains fibroblasts, while the cambium layer contains progenitor cellsthat develop into osteoblasts.

The retaining ligaments of the face are strong and deep fibrousattachments that originate from the periosteum or deep facial fascia andtravel perpendicularly through facial layers to insert onto the dermis.These ligaments act as anchor points, retaining and stabilizing the skinand superficial fascia to the underlying deep fascia and facial skeletonin defined anatomic locations. Microscopically, each ligament is rootedin a tree-like distribution as a periosteal or deep fascial thickeningthat divides as it approaches the musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) intonumerous branches, which insert onto the dermis. This branching networkof fibers is called the retinacular cutis, which is part of a largercomplex system of fibrous septa in the subcutaneous layer. Retainingligaments can be divided into “true retaining ligaments” and “falseretaining ligament” (also referred to as septa or adhesions). Trueretaining ligaments are defined as ligaments that insert directly ontothe dermis. As illustrated in FIG. 2A true retaining ligamentssupporting the subcutaneous tissues of the face include the orbitalligaments, zygomatic ligaments, buccal-maxillary ligaments (maxillaryportion), and the mandibular ligaments. True retaining ligaments aredefined as ligaments that insert directly into the SMAS, and thus havean indirect effect on the dermis through the retinacular cutis. Asillustrated in FIG. 2B false retaining ligaments of the face include theplatysma-auricular ligaments, masseteric-cutaneous ligaments, andbuccal-maxillary ligaments (buccal portion). The retaining ligaments ofthe face are important in understanding concepts of facial aging andrejuvenation. They are located in constant anatomic locations where theyseparate facial spaces and compartments. Their superficial extensionsform subcutaneous septa that separate facial fat compartments.

During the past 30 years there have been several concepts of face liftsurgery advanced. Starting with a “skin lift”, then advancing to asuperficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) and extended SMASdissection, the “deep plane facelift” and then by popularizing the“endoscopic forehead lift” which then extended inferiorly into the“subperiosteal” face lift. However, common problems with a subperiostealface lift include the fact that the retaining ligaments of the face andthe periosteum do not stretch and the periosteum, once elevated, adheresquickly back to the bone. As such, most of the benefit of the periostealface lift is diminished and many patients with conventional face liftshave questioned the reduced longevity of their face lifts.

Without wishing to be limited to any particular theory, one inventiveaspect of the present specification relies on the discover of anaponeurotic condensation of fibrous tissue, referred to herein as theanterior mental fibrous condensation. The present specification is basedon the finding that severing of the left and right anterior mentalfibrous condensations at its periosteal insertion site(s) in conjunctionwith surgical manipulation of the left and right mandibular ligamentscan unexpectedly and surprisingly provide synergistic benefits to amandibular augmentation or enhancement procedure as well as to a facelift procedure. For example, a method disclosed herein synergisticallymobilizes the mental soft tissue and volumetrically augments the chinabove and beyond what would be expected of implanting a chin implantalone. In addition, the surgical manipulation disclosed herein providesan improved surgical procedure for mandibular augmentation orenhancement by greatly expanding the location a mandibular implant canbe positioned. Furthermore, since the disclosed surgical procedureincreases the location where a mandibular implant can be implanted,novel chin implants of new sizes and shapes can now be created andadvantageously used. Lastly, the disclosed method enables a mandibularimplant to also be advantageously used as a spacer to prevent or reducere-adherence of the periosteum with its overlying soft tissue back tothe bone. The inhibition or reduction of periosteum re-attachment to themandible, ensure that the soft tissue of the face remains elevated. Assuch, the disclosed method enhance conventional face lift procedures bypreventing or reducing the expected postoperative recurrence of softtissue retraction back to its preoperative position.

The disclosed method of mandibular augmentation or enhancement comprisesthe surgical manipulation of the left and right anterior mental fibrouscondensations in conjunction with the anatomy of the left and rightmandibular ligaments. As illustrated in FIGS. 3A & B, the left and rightanterior mental fibrous condensations are located on the mentaltubercles of the mandible. An aponeurotic condensation of fibroustissue, each anterior mental fibrous condensation has been found totypically include a plurality of anterior mental fibrous condensationsegments spaced apart as illustrated in FIG. 3A, although they may notbe segmented or spaced apart depending on an individual patient'sanatomy. Each anterior mental fibrous condensation is woven into theperiosteum at a deep origination site at the left and right mentaltubercles and extends and inserts through the soft tissue layers.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2A & 3B, the left and right mandibular ligamentsare retaining ligaments that originate from the periosteum and insertsdirectly into the dermis to create strong and deep fibrous attachments.The left and right mandibular ligaments are lateral to the left andright anterior mental fibrous condensations, respectively. Measuringabout 2 cm horizontally and about 1.2 cm vertically, these ligaments arelocated about 4.5 cm anterior to the gonial angle of the mandible,inferior to the left and right mental foramen, and about 1 cm superiorthe base border of the mandible. The left and right mandibular ligamentsare each composed of two distinct fibrous attachments located about 2 mmto about 3 mm from each other called the medial mandibular ligament andthe mandibulocutaneous ligaments.

In some embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 4A-D, a disclosed method ofmandibular augmentation or enhancement comprises 1) accessing one ormore segments of the left and/or right anterior mental fibrouscondensation; 2) releasing the one or more segments of the left and/orright anterior mental fibrous condensation; 3) subperiosteally releasingone or more mandibular ligaments to form an implantation cavity; and 4)inserting a mandibular implant into the implantation cavity.

In some embodiments, a method disclosed herein comprises accessing oneor more segments of a left and/or right anterior mental fibrouscondensation can be accomplished by creating an incision in the skin, asillustrated in FIG. 4A. In some embodiments, accessing one or moresegments of a left and/or right anterior mental fibrous condensation canbe accomplished by creating an incision in the skin within the submentalspace. For example, an inverted V-shaped incision which approximatelyfollows the jawline can be made posteriorly to the base border and thendissecting through the soft tissue underlying the incision site untilthe one or more attachment points of the one or more segments of theleft and/or right anterior mental fibrous condensations on exteriorsurface of the mandible are identified. In some embodiments, accessingthe segments of the anterior mental fibrous condensation can beaccomplished by creating an intraoral incision through the vestibule ofthe mouth. For example, an incision can be made proximate to the mentalprotuberance, and then dissecting deep through the soft tissueunderlying the incision site. Once the sub-periosteal level is reachedby deepening and extending the dissection, the one or more attachmentpoints of the one or more segments of the left and/or right anteriormental fibrous condensations on exterior surface of the mandible canthen be identified.

In some embodiments, a method disclosed herein comprises releasing oneor more segments of the left and/or the right anterior mental fibrouscondensation from it mandibular attachment point. Once identified, theone or more segments of the left and/or right anterior mental fibrouscondensations are incised and released at the subperiosteal andperiosteal level at their attachment sites located on the mentaltubercles of the mandible, as illustrated in FIG. 4B. In someembodiments, the one or more segments of the left and right anteriormental fibrous condensations can be release by excising and severingtheir respective attachment sites located on the mental tubercles of themandible using a cutting device, such as, e.g., a scalpel, a scissors,an electromagnetic energy device (e.g., electrocautery) and the like.

In some embodiments, a method disclosed herein comprises subperiosteallyreleasing one or more mandibular ligaments from their one or moremandibular attachment points to form a subperiosteal implantationcavity. After the one or more segments of the left and/or right anteriormental fibrous condensations are released, the left and right mandibularligaments and overlying soft tissue can then be released from the bodyof the mandible to form a subperiosteal implantation cavity or pocket.In some embodiments, the left and/or right mandibular ligaments andoverlying soft tissue are released from the body of the mandible byblunt dissection of the medial mandibular and mandibulocutaneousligaments at the subperiosteal level using a periosteal elevator. Asshown in FIGS. 4B & C, finger placement locates the position of themental foramen and jawline and this technique safely keeps thesubperiosteal dissection within the area of the lower border of the bodyof the mandible and well below the mental foramen and exiting mentalnerve which allows for simple and safe access to the parasymphysealareas. Once the one or more mandibular ligaments are elevated from thebony surface at the sub-periosteal level, continued blunt dissection canbe easily extend the subperiosteal implantation cavity or pocketlaterally without resistance. A subperiosteal implantation cavity orpocket can be extended laterally any distance past an attachment site ofa mandibulocutaneous ligament. In some embodiments, a subperiostealimplantation cavity or pocket can be extended laterally any distancepast an attachment site of a mandibulocutaneous ligament and up to agonial angle of the mandible. In some embodiments, a subperiostealimplantation cavity or pocket can be extended laterally midway betweenan attachment site of a mandibulocutaneous ligament and a gonial angleof the mandible. In some embodiments, a subperiosteal implantationcavity or pocket can be extended laterally all the way to the gonialangle of the mandible. As shown in FIG. 4C, the placement of aperiosteal elevator over the jawline illustrates the direction andlocation that a subperiosteal pocket can be formed using the disclosedmethod.

In some embodiments, a method disclosed herein comprises inserting of amandibular implant into the implantation cavity. As depicted in FIG. 4D,a larger pocket is able to be created once the medial mandibular andmandibulocutaneous ligaments are elevated and the subperiostealimplantation cavity is extended to the desired length, so that a largerand variable shaped mandibular implant can then be inserted into thecavity. Correct implant placement can be highly advantageous in creatingan improved aesthetic result. Implant placement can be at the lowerborder of the mandible, and not at a higher location, as release of theleft and right anterior mental fibrous condensations in conjunction withthe left and right mandibular ligaments allows for this properpositioning of a mandibular implant. In some embodiments, a mandibularimplant can be placed such that the inferior border of the implant atthe midline of the mandible is at, or within about 2 cm, about 1.5 cm,about 1 cm, about 0.5 cm, or less from the midline of the chin, (withattachment to the mental tubercle) and the base border of the mandible.Once placement of the mandibular implant is finalized, the skin incisionis closed to complete a method of mandibular augmentation or enhancementdisclosed herein.

The method disclosed herein releases the surrounding soft tissue toenable this tissue to rotate and advance without restriction. This notonly advantageously increases anterior projection, but upon rotation ofthe soft tissue (from the submental area) increases the appearance ofvertical dimension to the entire anterior mandibular area as well. Alsoby elevating and allowing the soft tissue at the medial mandibular andmandibulocutaneous ligaments to be repositioned upward and outward, ithas the ability to overall exponentially add volume to the entire area;thus providing an unexpected, synergistic benefit in all dimensions inthe appearance to the entire lower ⅓ of the face. Such results would nototherwise be achievable with just the placement of an ordinarymandibular implant without addressing the anterior mental fibrouscondensation and/or the mandibular ligaments.

In some embodiments, mandibular implants can include inferior and/oranterior extensions to the implant inserted below the incised bodystructures and laterally to ensure that the area of bone at theattachment of the medial mandibular and mandibulocutaneous ligaments iscompletely covered to ensure the periosteum remains elevated and doesnot re-attach to the underlying bone. In some embodiments, a mandibularimplant incorporates a section to ensure that the implant is insertedbeneath the structures which are released and/or surgically elevatedalong with the periosteum, or other structures and/or geometries asfurther described herein.

In some embodiments, the synergistic augmentation volume provided by amethod disclosed herein above and beyond the volume of the implant. Thevolume could project, for example, evenly or unevenly in one or more ofthe anterior-posterior and/or vertical dimension with differentpercentage values or ranges as disclosed above. In some embodiments, thesynergistic augmentation volume provided by a method disclosed hereinabove and beyond the volume of the implant can be, e.g., about 10%,about 20%, about 30%, about 40%, about 50%, about 60%, about 70%, about80%, about 90%, about 100%, or more. In some embodiments, thesynergistic augmentation volume provided by a method disclosed hereinabove and beyond the volume of the implant can be, e.g., at least 10%,at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, atleast 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 100%, or more. In someembodiments, the synergistic augmentation volume provided by a methoddisclosed herein above and beyond the volume of the implant can be,e.g., at most 10%, at most 20%, at most 30%, at most 40%, at most 50%,at most 60%, at most 70%, at most 80%, at most 90%, at most 100%. Insome embodiments, the synergistic augmentation volume provided by amethod disclosed herein above and beyond the volume of the implant canbe, e.g., about 10% to about 20%, about 10% to about 30%, about 10% toabout 40%, about 10% to about 50%, about 10% to about 60%, about 10% toabout 70%, about 10% to about 80%, about 10% to about 90%, about 10% toabout 100%, about 20% to about 30%, about 20% to about 40%, about 20% toabout 50%, about 20% to about 60%, about 20% to about 70%, about 20% toabout 80%, about 20% to about 90%, about 20% to about 100%, about 30% toabout 40%, about 30% to about 50%, about 30% to about 60%, about 30% toabout 70%, about 30% to about 80%, about 30% to about 90%, about 30% toabout 100%, about 40% to about 50%, about 40% to about 60%, about 40% toabout 70%, about 40% to about 80%, about 40% to about 90%, about 40% toabout 100%, about 50% to about 60%, about 50% to about 70%, about 50% toabout 80%, about 50% to about 90%, about 50% to about 100%, about 60% toabout 70%, about 60% to about 80%, about 60% to about 90%, about 60% toabout 100%, about 70% to about 80%, about 70% to about 90%, about 70% toabout 100%, about 80% to about 90%, about 80% to about 100%, or about90% to about 100%.

In some embodiments, a method disclosed herein can substantially improvethe jowls. For example, FIG. 4E shows a photograph of an individualbefore a mandibular augmentation or enhancement using a method disclosedherein while FIG. 4F show a photograph of the same individual afterinsertion of a mandibular implant (from mentum to gonial angle) thatdisplaces the soft tissue, and smooths out the adjacent soft tissuedepressions or deficiencies using a method disclosed. FIG. 4F clearlyshows a superior clinical result of a mandibular augmentation orenhancement using a method disclosed herein whereby the implant liftsand improves the jowl.

It is known that facial implants are used to augment or project out overa designated area of the facial skeleton by virtue of their volume andparticular geometry. In some embodiments, a face lift (e.g.rhytidectomy) procedure is performed concurrently with a method ofmandibular augmentation or enhancement disclosed herein. In someembodiments, any number of the true ligaments of the cheek or forehead,such as, e.g., the orbital ligaments, zygomatic ligaments,buccal-maxillary ligaments (maxillary portion) can be incised, excised,or released (and/or left alone and untouched). In some embodiments amethod disclosed herein does disturb or excise true ligaments of thecheek or forehead. In some embodiments, any number of the falseligaments of the cheek or forehead, such as, e.g., theplatysma-auricular ligaments, masseteric-cutaneous ligaments, andbuccal-maxillary ligaments (buccal portion) can be incised, excised, orreleased (and/or left alone and untouched). In some embodiments a methoddisclosed herein does disturb or excise false ligaments of the cheek orforehead. In some embodiments, no face lift procedure is required orperformed in conjunction with a method of mandibular augmentation orenhancement disclosed herein.

In some embodiments, a method disclosed can include augmenting a facialfeature with one or more dermal filler materials, e.g., injected into aregion of the face such as the chin, in addition to, or instead ofimplanting a long-term implant.

While described primarily with respect to treating the chin, someembodiments of the invention can also be used or modified for use withother anatomical regions, including the mid-face, other areas of theface, or other parts of the body, for example.

Given the distinct implant pockets that can be created, a variety ofchin implants can be utilized with methods and uses as disclosed herein.The chin implants could be conventional, or also include improvedmandibular implants as disclosed herein. For example is someembodiments, a mandibular implant disclosed herein is configured toaugment tissue from the end of the left gonial angle (back jaw) to theend of the right gonial angle (back jaw) of an individual. In someembodiments, a mandibular implant disclosed herein is configured toaugment tissue from a point laying in a region between the attachmentlocation of the left mandibular osteocutaneous ligament and left gonialangle (back jaw) to a region between the attachment location of theright mandibular osteocutaneous ligament and the right gonial angle(back jaw) of an individual. Thus, a wrap-around or extended mandibularimplant can now be used in circumstances encompassing excising the leftand right anterior mental fibrous condensation anteriorly and elevatingthe left and right medial mandibular and mandibulocutaneous ligaments.

A mandibular implant comprises a body having an axial length, a heightand a thickness sized and dimensioned to conform to the general shape ofa portion of a jawline of a mandible. A body disclosed herein comprisesan outer surface (or an anterior-facing surface), an inner surface (or aposterior-facing surface) opposite the top surface, a top and a bottomopposite the top. The outer surface of a body disclosed herein isgenerally convex or outwardly arched in shape to augment tissue andconfer an aesthetically pleasing profile of the augmented tissue onceimplanted. Similarly, the inner surface of a body disclosed herein isgenerally shaped to conform to the contours of a mental protuberanceregion, a mental tubercle region, and a bottom part of a base region ofthe body of the mandible, or any combination thereof. In someembodiments, a body of a mandibular implant disclosed herein hassubstantially U-shaped structure comprising a first end region and asecond end region.

A body of a mandibular implant disclosed herein has a longer axiallength than current off-the-shelf commercially produced extended chinimplants. In some embodiments, a body of a mandibular implant disclosedherein can have axial length of, e.g., about 3 mm, about 4 mm, about 5mm, about 1 cm or longer than current off-the-shelf commerciallyproduced extended chin implants. In some embodiments, a body of amandibular implant disclosed herein can have axial length of, e.g., atleast 3 mm, at least 4 mm, at least 5 mm, at least 1 cm, or longer thancurrent off-the-shelf commercially produced extended chin implants. Insome embodiments, a body of a mandibular implant disclosed herein canhave axial length of, e.g., about 3 mm to about 5 mm, about 3 mm toabout 1 cm, or about 5 mm to about 1 cm, longer than currentoff-the-shelf commercially produced extended chin implants.

In some embodiments, a body of a mandibular implant disclosed herein canhave axial length that extends past an attachment location of amandibular osteocutaneous ligament by, e.g., about 3 mm, about 4 mm,about 5 mm, about 7.5 mm, about 1 cm, about 1.5 cm about 2 cm, about 2.5cm, about 3 cm, about 4 cm or about 5 cm. In some embodiments, a body ofa mandibular implant disclosed herein can have axial length that extendspast an attachment location of a mandibular osteocutaneous ligament by,e.g., at least 3 mm, at least 4 mm, at least 5 mm, at least 7.5 mm, atleast 1 cm, at least 1.5 cm at least 2 cm, at least 2.5 cm, at least 3cm, at least 4 cm or at least 5 cm. In some embodiments, a body of amandibular implant disclosed herein can have axial length that extendspast an attachment location of a mandibular osteocutaneous ligament by,e.g., at most 3 mm, at most 4 mm, at most 5 mm, at most 7.5 mm, at most1 cm, at most 1.5 cm at most 2 cm, at most 2.5 cm, at most 3 cm, at most4 cm or at most 5 cm. In some embodiments, a body of a mandibularimplant disclosed herein can have axial length that extends past anattachment location of a mandibular osteocutaneous ligament by, e.g.,about 3 mm to about 5 mm, about 3 mm to about 1 cm, about 3 mm to about1.5 cm, about 3 mm to about 2 cm, about 3 mm to about 2.5 cm, about 3 mmto about 3 cm, about 3 mm to about 4 cm, about 3 mm to about 5 cm, about5 mm to about 1 cm, about 5 mm to about 1.5 cm, about 5 mm to about 2cm, about 5 mm to about 2.5 cm, about 5 mm to about 3 cm, about 5 mm toabout 4 cm, about 5 mm to about 5 cm, about 1 cm to about 1.5 cm, about1 cm to about 2 cm, about 1 cm to about 2.5 cm, about 1 cm to about 3cm, about 1 cm to about 4 cm, about 1 cm to about 5 cm, about 1.5 cm toabout 2 cm, about 1.5 cm to about 2.5 cm, about 1.5 cm to about 3 cm,about 1.5 cm to about 4 cm, about 1.5 cm to about 5 cm, 2 cm to about2.5 cm, about 2 cm to about 3 cm, about 2 cm to about 4 cm, about 2 cmto about 5 cm, about 2.5 cm to about 3 cm, about 2.5 cm to about 4 cm,about 2.5 cm to about 5 cm, about 3 cm to about 4 cm, about 3 cm toabout 5 cm, or about 4 cm to about 5 cm.

In some embodiments, a body of a mandibular implant disclosed can haveaxial length of, e.g., about 70%, about 75%, about 80%, about 85%, about90%, about 95% or about 100% of the jawline from the left end of the jawto the right end of the jaw. In some embodiments, a body of a mandibularimplant disclosed herein can have axial length of, e.g., at least 70%,at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95% orat least 100% of the jawline from the left end of the jaw to the rightend of the jaw. In some embodiments, a body of a mandibular implantdisclosed herein can have axial length of, e.g., at most 70%, at most75%, at most 80%, at most 85%, at most 90%, at most 95% or at most 100%of the jawline from the left end of the jaw to the right end of the jaw.In some embodiments, a body of a mandibular implant disclosed herein canhave axial length of, e.g., about 70% to about 75%, about 70% to about80%, about 70% to about 85%, about 70% to about 90%, about 70% to about95%, about 70% to about 100%, about 75% to about 80%, about 75% to about85%, about 75% to about 90%, about 75% to about 95%, about 75% to about100%, about 80% to about 85%, about 80% to about 90%, about 80% to about95%, about 80% to about 100%, about 85% to about 90%, about 85% to about95%, about 85% to about 100%, about 90% to about 95%, about 90% to about100%, or about 95% to about 100%.

In some embodiments, a body of a mandibular implant disclosed herein canhave a height of, e.g., about 2 mm, about 2.5 mm, about 3 mm, about 3.5cm, about 4 mm, about 4.5 mm, about 5 mm, about 6 mm, about 7 mm, about8 mm, about 9 mm, about 1 cm, about 1.5 cm, about 2 cm or about 2.5 cm.In some embodiments, a body of a mandibular implant disclosed herein canhave a height of, e.g., at least 2 mm, at least 2.5 mm, at least 3 mm,at least 3.5 cm, at least 4 mm, at least 4.5 mm, at least 5 mm, at least6 mm, at least 7 mm, at least 8 mm, at least 9 mm, at least 1 cm, atleast 1.5 cm, at least 2 cm or at least 2.5 cm. In some embodiments, abody of a mandibular implant disclosed herein can have a height of,e.g., at most 2 mm, at most 2.5 mm, at most 3 mm, at most 3.5 cm, atmost 4 mm, at most 4.5 mm, at most 5 mm, at most 6 mm, at most 7 mm, atmost 8 mm, at most 9 mm, at most 1 cm, at most 1.5 cm, at most 2 cm orat most 2.5 cm. In some embodiments, a body of a mandibular implantdisclosed herein can have a height of, e.g., about 2 mm to about 2.5 mm,about 2 mm to about 3 mm, about 2 mm to about 3.5 mm, about 2 mm toabout 4 mm, about 2 mm to about 4.5 mm, about 2 mm to about 5 mm, about2 mm to about 6 mm, about 2 mm to about 7 mm, about 2 mm to about 8 mm,about 2 mm to about 9 mm, about 2 mm to about 1 cm, about 2 mm to about1.5 cm, about 2 mm to about 2 cm, about 2 mm to about 2.5 cm, about 2.5mm to about 3 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 3.5 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 4mm, about 2.5 mm to about 4.5 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 5 mm, about 2.5mm to about 6 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 7 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 8mm, about 2.5 mm to about 9 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 1 cm, about 2.5 mmto about 1.5 cm, about 2.5 mm to about 2 cm, about 2.5 mm to about 2.5cm, about 3 mm to about 3.5 mm, about 3 mm to about 4 mm, about 3 mm toabout 4.5 mm, about 3 mm to about 5 mm, about 3 mm to about 6 mm, about3 mm to about 7 mm, about 3 mm to about 8 mm, about 3 mm to about 9 mm,about 3 mm to about 1 cm, about 3 mm to about 1.5 cm, about 3 mm toabout 2 cm, about 3 mm to about 2.5 cm, about 3.5 mm to about 4 mm,about 3.5 mm to about 4.5 mm, about 3.5 mm to about 5 mm, about 3.5 mmto about 6 mm, about 3.5 mm to about 7 mm, about 3.5 mm to about 8 mm,about 3.5 mm to about 9 mm, about 3.5 mm to about 1 cm, about 3.5 mm toabout 1.5 cm, about 3.5 mm to about 2 cm, about 3.5 mm to about 2.5 cm,about 4 mm to about 4.5 mm, about 4 mm to about 5 mm, about 4 mm toabout 6 mm, about 4 mm to about 7 mm, about 4 mm to about 8 mm, about 4mm to about 9 mm, about 4 mm to about 1 cm, about 4 mm to about 1.5 cm,about 4 mm to about 2 cm, about 4 mm to about 2.5 cm, about 4.5 mm toabout 5 mm, about 4.5 mm to about 6 mm, about 4.5 mm to about 7 mm,about 4.5 mm to about 8 mm, about 4.5 mm to about 9 mm, about 4.5 mm toabout 1 cm, about 4.5 mm to about 1.5 cm, about 4.5 mm to about 2 cm,about 4.5 mm to about 2.5 cm, about 5 mm to about 6 mm, about 5 mm toabout 7 mm, about 5 mm to about 8 mm, about 5 mm to about 9 mm, about 5mm to about 1 cm, about 5 mm to about 1.5 cm, about 5 mm to about 2 cm,about 5 mm to about 2.5 cm, about 7.5 mm to about 1 cm, about 7.5 mm toabout 1.5 cm, about 7.5 mm to about 2 cm, about 7.5 mm to about 2.5 cm,about 1 cm to about 1.5 cm, about 1 cm to about 2 cm, about 1 cm toabout 2.5 cm, about 1.5 cm to about 2 cm, about 1.5 cm to about 2.5 cm,or about 2 cm to about 2.5 cm.

In some embodiments, a body of a mandibular implant disclosed herein canhave a thickness of, e.g., about 2 mm, about 2.5 mm, about 3 mm, about 4mm, about 4.5 mm, or about 5 mm. In some embodiments, the mental archcan have a length of, e.g., at least 2 mm, at least 2.5 mm, at least 3mm, at least 4 mm, at least 4.5 mm, or at least 5 mm. In someembodiments, a body of a mandibular implant disclosed herein can have athickness of, e.g., at most 2 mm, at most 2.5 mm, at most 3 mm, or atmost 4 mm, at most 4.5 mm, or at most 5 mm. In some embodiments, a bodyof a mandibular implant disclosed herein can have a thickness of, e.g.,about 2 mm to about 2.5 mm, about 2 mm to about 3 mm, about 2 mm toabout 3.5 mm, about 2 mm to about 4 mm, about 2 mm to about 4.5 mm,about 2 mm to about 5 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 3 mm, about 2.5 mm toabout 3.5 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 4 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 4.5 mm,about 2.5 mm to about 5 mm, about 3 mm to about 3.5 mm, about 3.5 mm toabout 4 mm, about 3 mm to about 4.5 mm, about 3.5 mm to about 5 mm, orabout 4 mm to about 5 mm.

In some embodiments, any implantable biomaterials and/or anymodification of any implant material that alters the softness orpliability of a mandibular implant disclosed herein can be utilized. Assuch, a mandibular implant disclosed herein can be made of a widevariety of materials, including but not limited to silicone or siliconeelastomers, such as SILASTIC®, for example, alone or reinforced bymaterials such as PTFE, ePTFE, Dacron, Polyester fiber mesh(MERSILENE®), prolene, propylene, polypropylene, polystyrene,high-density porous Polyethylene (MEDPORE®), other thermoplasticmaterials, or combinations thereof. A mandibular implant disclosedherein could also include a metal or metal alloy, including but notlimited to titanium, tungsten, stainless steel, aluminum, nitinol, andthe like. In some embodiments, a mandibular implant disclosed herein areformed by injection molding, or any other suitable process.

In some embodiments, a mandibular implant disclosed herein can becomposed of a single material or type of material and does not includean outer shell and an inner core of a different material. In someembodiments, a mandibular implant disclosed herein can be a composite oftwo or more materials or types of material. For example, a compositemandibular implant disclosed herein can comprise a core comprising afirst material and one, two, or more outer layers comprising a secondmaterial. In some embodiments, a first material is silicone, and asecond material is ePTFE. In some embodiments, a composite mandibularimplant disclosed herein comprises, e.g., an outer shell that is notmade of a plastic material.

In some embodiments, a mandibular implant disclosed herein can include abody that includes a shell having one unitary layer, or a plurality oflayers, such as 2, 3, 4, or more layers and filled or configured to besubstantially filled with a filler such as a viscous flowable material,and/or a foam. The viscous material can be selected for a combination ofnon-toxicity as well as to provide structural support to the surroundingtissue while maintaining a natural feel. For example, the viscousmaterial can include saline, water, silicone, silicone gel, atriglyceride oil, a block co-polymer, or other materials. In someembodiments, a mandibular implant disclosed herein can be configured tobe filled with any desired volume, such as for example between about 0.5mL and about 10 mL, or about, at least about, or no more than about 0.5mL, 1 mL, 2 mL, 3 mL, 4 mL, 5 mL, 6 mL, 7 mL, 8 mL, 9 mL, 10 mL, 11 mL,12 mL, 13 mL, 14 mL, 15 mL, 16 mL, 17 mL, 18 mL, 19 mL, 20 mL, or rangesincluding any two of the foregoing values. The volume can then besynergistically augmented by the excision of one, two, or morestructures, e.g., at the periosteal level as described elsewhere herein.

In some embodiments, a mandibular implant disclosed herein has aflexible body that is not rigid to mimic natural body contours,including the chin and is configured such that the surrounding nativetissue can move vis-à-vis the implant. In some embodiments, the siliconerubber material durometer, or softness, at the surface of a mandibularimplant disclosed herein can range from “A-scale” 70-5, such as about70, 60 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, 5 or ranges including one or more ofthe foregoing values, and can range from “00-scale” 50-“000-scale” 10 atthe implant center, such that the implant shape is stable.

A mandibular implant disclosed herein can have a smooth or texturedsurface. In some embodiments, a mandibular implant disclosed herein canpromote ingrowth, or inhibit or prevent ingrowth. For example, amandibular implant disclosed herein can be smooth surfaced, or have aconforming backed posterior surface that uses a serrated backing thatreduces the memory of the implant.

In some embodiments, a body of a mandibular implant disclosed hereincomprises a mental arch, a left lateral arm, and a right lateral arm. Asingle-piece implant, left lateral arm extends from the left end of themental arch while the right lateral arm extends from the right end ofthe mental arch. A mental arch disclosed herein comprises an outersurface (or an anterior-facing surface), an inner surface (or aposterior-facing surface) opposite the top surface, a top and a bottomopposite the top. Similarly, a left lateral arm disclosed hereincomprises an outer surface (or an anterior-facing surface), an innersurface (or a posterior-facing surface) opposite the outer surface, atop and a bottom opposite the top, while a right lateral arm disclosedherein comprises an outer surface (or an anterior-facing surface), aninner surface (or a posterior-facing surface) opposite the outersurface, a top and a bottom opposite the top. The outer surface of themental arch and left and right lateral arms are contiguous to form auniform surface, the outer surface generally being convex or outwardlyarched in shape to augment tissue and confer an aesthetically pleasingprofile of the augmented tissue once implanted. Similarly, the innersurface of the mental arch and left and right lateral arms arecontiguous to form a uniform surface. Likewise, the tops of the mentalarch and left and right lateral arms form a contiguous edge as do thebottoms of the mental arch and left and right lateral arms. The innersurface of the mental arch and left and right lateral arms are generallyshaped to conform to the contours of a mental protuberance region, amental tubercle region, and a bottom part of a base region of the bodyof the mandible.

In some embodiments, a mandibular implant disclosed herein is sized anddimension to have a perimeter length of its outer surface from one endto a second end of, e.g., about 15 cm, about 16 cm, about 17 cm, about18 cm, about 19 cm, about 20 cm, about 21 cm, about 22 cm, about 23 cm,about 24 cm, about 25 cm, about 26 cm, about 27 cm, about 28 cm, about29 cm, or about 30 cm and ranges including any two of the foregoingvalues. In some embodiments, a mandibular implant disclosed herein issized and dimensioned to have a perimeter length of its outer surfacefrom one end to a second end of, e.g., at least 15 cm, at least 16 cm,at least 17 cm, at least 18 cm, at least 19 cm, at least 20 cm, at least21 cm, at least 22 cm, at least 23 cm, at least 24 cm, at least 25 cm,at least 26 cm, at least 27 cm, at least 28 cm, at least 29 cm, or atleast 30 cm. In some embodiments, a mandibular implant disclosed hereinis sized and dimensioned to have a perimeter length of its outer surfacefrom one end to a second end of, e.g., at most 15 cm, at most 16 cm, atmost 17 cm, at most 18 cm, at most 19 cm, at most 20 cm, at most 21 cm,at most 22 cm, at most 23 cm, at most 24 cm, at most 25 cm, at most 26cm, at most 27 cm, at most 28 cm, at most 29 cm, or at most 30 cm. Insome embodiments, a mandibular implant disclosed herein is sized anddimensioned to have a perimeter length of its outer surface from one endto a second end of, e.g., about 15 cm to 18 cm, about 15 cm to 20 cm,about 15 cm to 23 cm, about 15 cm to 25 cm, about 15 cm to 28 cm, about15 cm to 30 cm, about 18 cm to 20 cm, about 18 cm to 23 cm, about 18 cmto 25 cm, about 18 cm to 28 cm, about 18 cm to 30 cm, about 20 cm to 23cm, about 20 cm to 25 cm, about 20 cm to 28 cm, about 20 cm to 30 cm,about 25 cm to 28 cm, or about 25 cm to 30 cm.

A mental arch disclosed herein has a length, a height, and a thicknesssized and dimensioned to conform to the general shape of a mentalprotuberance region, a mental tubercle region, or any combinationthereof. An inner surface of a mental arch is configured to properlyseat on the surface of a region of the mental protuberance and left andright mental tubercles (chin) of the mandible. In some embodiments, amental arch can have a length that extends from the left mental foramento the right mental foramen. In some embodiments, a mental arch can havea length of, e.g., about 2 cm, about 2.5 cm, about 3 cm, about 3.5 cm,about 4 cm, about 4.5 cm, or about 5 cm. In some embodiments, a mentalarch can have a length of, e.g., at least 2 cm, at least 2.5 cm, atleast 3 cm, at least 4 cm, at least 4.5 cm, at least 5 cm. In someembodiments, a mental arch can have a length of, e.g., at most 2 cm, atmost 2.5 cm, at most 3 cm, at most 4 cm, at most 4.5 cm, at most 5 cm.In some embodiments, a mental arch can have a length of, e.g., about 2cm to about 2.5 cm, about 2 cm to about 3 cm, about 2 cm to about 3.5cm, about 2 cm to about 4 cm, about 2 cm to about 4.5 cm, about 2 cm toabout 5 cm, about 2.5 cm to about 3 cm, about 2.5 cm to about 3.5 cm,about 2.5 cm to about 4 cm, about 2.5 cm to about 4.5 cm, about 2.5 cmto about 5 cm, about 3 cm to about 3.5 cm, about 3 cm to about 4 cm,about 3 cm to about 4.5 cm, about 3 cm to about 5 cm, about 3.5 cm toabout 4 cm, about 3.5 cm to about 4.5 cm, about 3.5 cm to about 5 cm,about 4 cm to about 4.5 cm, about 4 cm to about 5 cm, or about 4.5 cm toabout 5 cm.

In some embodiments, a mental arch can have a height of, e.g., about 2mm, about 2.5 mm, about 3 mm, about 3.5 cm, about 4 mm, about 4.5 mm,about 5 mm, about 6 mm, about 7 mm, about 8 mm, about 9 mm, about 1 cm,about 1.5 cm, about 2 cm or about 2.5 cm. In some embodiments, a mentalarch can have a height of, e.g., at least 2 mm, at least 2.5 mm, atleast 3 mm, at least 3.5 cm, at least 4 mm, at least 4.5 mm, at least 5mm, at least 6 mm, at least 7 mm, at least 8 mm, at least 9 mm, at least1 cm, at least 1.5 cm, at least 2 cm or at least 2.5 cm. In someembodiments, a mental arch can have a height of, e.g., at most 2 mm, atmost 2.5 mm, at most 3 mm, at most 3.5 cm, at most 4 mm, at most 4.5 mm,at most 5 mm, at most 6 mm, at most 7 mm, at most 8 mm, at most 9 mm, atmost 1 cm, at most 1.5 cm, at most 2 cm or at most 2.5 cm. In someembodiments, a mental arch can have a height of, e.g., about 2 mm toabout 2.5 mm, about 2 mm to about 3 mm, about 2 mm to about 3.5 mm,about 2 mm to about 4 mm, about 2 mm to about 4.5 mm, about 2 mm toabout 5 mm, about 2 mm to about 6 mm, about 2 mm to about 7 mm, about 2mm to about 8 mm, about 2 mm to about 9 mm, about 2 mm to about 1 cm,about 2 mm to about 1.5 cm, about 2 mm to about 2 cm, about 2 mm toabout 2.5 cm, about 2.5 mm to about 3 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 3.5 mm,about 2.5 mm to about 4 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 4.5 mm, about 2.5 mmto about 5 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 6 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 7 mm,about 2.5 mm to about 8 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 9 mm, about 2.5 mm toabout 1 cm, about 2.5 mm to about 1.5 cm, about 2.5 mm to about 2 cm,about 2.5 mm to about 2.5 cm, about 3 mm to about 3.5 mm, about 3 mm toabout 4 mm, about 3 mm to about 4.5 mm, about 3 mm to about 5 mm, about3 mm to about 6 mm, about 3 mm to about 7 mm, about 3 mm to about 8 mm,about 3 mm to about 9 mm, about 3 mm to about 1 cm, about 3 mm to about1.5 cm, about 3 mm to about 2 cm, about 3 mm to about 2.5 cm, about 3.5mm to about 4 mm, about 3.5 mm to about 4.5 mm, about 3.5 mm to about 5mm, about 3.5 mm to about 6 mm, about 3.5 mm to about 7 mm, about 3.5 mmto about 8 mm, about 3.5 mm to about 9 mm, about 3.5 mm to about 1 cm,about 3.5 mm to about 1.5 cm, about 3.5 mm to about 2 cm, about 3.5 mmto about 2.5 cm, about 4 mm to about 4.5 mm, about 4 mm to about 5 mm,about 4 mm to about 6 mm, about 4 mm to about 7 mm, about 4 mm to about8 mm, about 4 mm to about 9 mm, about 4 mm to about 1 cm, about 4 mm toabout 1.5 cm, about 4 mm to about 2 cm, about 4 mm to about 2.5 cm,about 4.5 mm to about 5 mm, about 4.5 mm to about 6 mm, about 4.5 mm toabout 7 mm, about 4.5 mm to about 8 mm, about 4.5 mm to about 9 mm,about 4.5 mm to about 1 cm, about 4.5 mm to about 1.5 cm, about 4.5 mmto about 2 cm, about 4.5 mm to about 2.5 cm, about 5 mm to about 6 mm,about 5 mm to about 7 mm, about 5 mm to about 8 mm, about 5 mm to about9 mm, about 5 mm to about 1 cm, about 5 mm to about 1.5 cm, about 5 mmto about 2 cm, about 5 mm to about 2.5 cm, about 7.5 mm to about 1 cm,about 7.5 mm to about 1.5 cm, about 7.5 mm to about 2 cm, about 7.5 mmto about 2.5 cm, about 1 cm to about 1.5 cm, about 1 cm to about 2 cm,about 1 cm to about 2.5 cm, about 1.5 cm to about 2 cm, about 1.5 cm toabout 2.5 cm, or about 2 cm to about 2.5 cm.

In some embodiments, a mental arch can have a thickness of, e.g., about2 mm, about 2.5 mm, about 3 mm, about 4 mm, about 4.5 mm, or about 5 mm.In some embodiments, the mental arch can have a length of, e.g., atleast 2 mm, at least 2.5 mm, at least 3 mm, at least 4 mm, at least 4.5mm, or at least 5 mm. In some embodiments, a mental arch can have athickness of, e.g., at most 2 mm, at most 2.5 mm, at most 3 mm, or atmost 4 mm, at most 4.5 mm, or at most 5 mm. In some embodiments, amental arch can have a thickness of, e.g., about 2 mm to about 2.5 mm,about 2 mm to about 3 mm, about 2 mm to about 3.5 mm, about 2 mm toabout 4 mm, about 2 mm to about 4.5 mm, about 2 mm to about 5 mm, about2.5 mm to about 3 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 3.5 mm, about 2.5 mm toabout 4 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 4.5 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 5 mm,about 3 mm to about 3.5 mm, about 3.5 mm to about 4 mm, about 3 mm toabout 4.5 mm, about 3.5 mm to about 5 mm, or about 4 mm to about 5 mm.

Left and right lateral arms each have a length, height and thickness andeach is sized and dimensioned to conform to the general shape of thebottom portion or base of the body of the mandible. An inner surface ofa left lateral arm is configured to properly seat on the surface of theleft base of the mandibular body while inner surface of a right lateralarm is configured to properly seat on the surface of the right base ofthe mandibular body.

In some embodiments, left and right lateral arms can each independentlyhave a length that extends past the attachment location of theirrespective left and right mandibular osteocutaneous ligaments. In someembodiments, left and right lateral arms can each independently have alength that extends, e.g., about 1 cm, about 1.5 cm, about 2 cm, about2.5 cm, about 3 cm, about 3.5 cm, or about 4 cm past the attachmentlocation of their respective left and right mandibular osteocutaneousligaments. In some embodiments, a left and a right lateral arm can eachindependently have a length that extends, e.g., at least 1 cm, at least1.5 cm, at least 2 cm, at least 2.5 cm, at least 3 cm, at least 3.5 cm,or at least 4 cm past the attachment location of their respective leftand right mandibular osteocutaneous ligaments. In some embodiments, aleft and a right lateral arm can each independently have a length thatextends, e.g., at most 1 cm, at most 1.5 cm, at most 2 cm, at most 2.5cm, at most 3 cm, at most 3.5 cm, or at most 4 cm past the attachmentlocation of their respective left and right mandibular osteocutaneousligaments. In some embodiments, a left and a right lateral arm can eachindependently have a length that extends, e.g., about 1 cm to about 1.5cm, about 1 cm to about 2 cm, about 1 cm to about 2.5 cm, about 1 cm toabout 3 cm, about 1 cm to about 3.5 cm, about 1 cm to about 4 cm, about2 cm to about 3 cm, bout 2 cm to about 3.5 cm, about 2 cm to about 4 cm,about 3 cm to about 3.5 cm, about 3 cm to about 4 cm, or about 3.5 cm toabout 4 cm, past the attachment location of their respective left andright mandibular osteocutaneous ligaments. In some embodiments, a leftand a right lateral arm can each independently have a length that extendall the way to the gonial angle of the mandible.

In some embodiments, a left and a right lateral arm can eachindependently have a length of, e.g., about 2 cm, about 2.5 cm, about 3cm, about 3.5 cm, about 4 cm, about 4.5 cm, or about 5 cm. In someembodiments, a left and a right lateral arm can each independently havea length of, e.g., at least 2 cm, at least 2.5 cm, at least 3 cm, atleast 4 cm, at least 4.5 cm, at least 5 cm. In some embodiments, a leftand a right lateral arm can each independently have a length of, e.g.,at most 2 cm, at most 2.5 cm, at most 3 cm, at most 4 cm, at most 4.5cm, at most 5 cm. In some embodiments, a left and a right lateral armcan each independently have a length of, e.g., about 2 cm to about 2.5cm, about 2 cm to about 3 cm, about 2 cm to about 3.5 cm, about 2 cm toabout 4 cm, about 2 cm to about 4.5 cm, about 2 cm to about 5 cm, about2.5 cm to about 3 cm, about 2.5 cm to about 3.5 cm, about 2.5 cm toabout 4 cm, about 2.5 cm to about 4.5 cm, about 2.5 cm to about 5 cm,about 3 cm to about 3.5 cm, about 3 cm to about 4 cm, about 3 cm toabout 4.5 cm, about 3 cm to about 5 cm, about 3.5 cm to about 4 cm,about 3.5 cm to about 4.5 cm, about 3.5 cm to about 5 cm, about 4 cm toabout 4.5 cm, about 4 cm to about 5 cm, or about 4.5 cm to about 5 cm.

In some embodiments, a left and a right lateral arm can eachindependently have a height of, e.g., about 2 mm, about 2.5 mm, about 3mm, about 3.5 cm, about 4 mm, about 4.5 mm, about 5 mm, about 6 mm,about 7 mm, about 8 mm, about 9 mm, about 1 cm, about 1.5 cm, about 2 cmor about 2.5 cm. In some embodiments, a left and a right lateral arm caneach independently have a height of, e.g., at least 2 mm, at least 2.5mm, at least 3 mm, at least 3.5 cm, at least 4 mm, at least 4.5 mm, atleast 5 mm, at least 6 mm, at least 7 mm, at least 8 mm, at least 9 mm,at least 1 cm, at least 1.5 cm, at least 2 cm or at least 2.5 cm. Insome embodiments, a left and a right lateral arm can each independentlyhave a height of, e.g., at most 2 mm, at most 2.5 mm, at most 3 mm, atmost 3.5 cm, at most 4 mm, at most 4.5 mm, at most 5 mm, at most 6 mm,at most 7 mm, at most 8 mm, at most 9 mm, at most 1 cm, at most 1.5 cm,at most 2 cm or at most 2.5 cm. In some embodiments, a left and a rightlateral arm can each independently have a height of, e.g., about 2 mm toabout 2.5 mm, about 2 mm to about 3 mm, about 2 mm to about 3.5 mm,about 2 mm to about 4 mm, about 2 mm to about 4.5 mm, about 2 mm toabout 5 mm, about 2 mm to about 6 mm, about 2 mm to about 7 mm, about 2mm to about 8 mm, about 2 mm to about 9 mm, about 2 mm to about 1 cm,about 2 mm to about 1.5 cm, about 2 mm to about 2 cm, about 2 mm toabout 2.5 cm, about 2.5 mm to about 3 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 3.5 mm,about 2.5 mm to about 4 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 4.5 mm, about 2.5 mmto about 5 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 6 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 7 mm,about 2.5 mm to about 8 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 9 mm, about 2.5 mm toabout 1 cm, about 2.5 mm to about 1.5 cm, about 2.5 mm to about 2 cm,about 2.5 mm to about 2.5 cm, about 3 mm to about 3.5 mm, about 3 mm toabout 4 mm, about 3 mm to about 4.5 mm, about 3 mm to about 5 mm, about3 mm to about 6 mm, about 3 mm to about 7 mm, about 3 mm to about 8 mm,about 3 mm to about 9 mm, about 3 mm to about 1 cm, about 3 mm to about1.5 cm, about 3 mm to about 2 cm, about 3 mm to about 2.5 cm, about 3.5mm to about 4 mm, about 3.5 mm to about 4.5 mm, about 3.5 mm to about 5mm, about 3.5 mm to about 6 mm, about 3.5 mm to about 7 mm, about 3.5 mmto about 8 mm, about 3.5 mm to about 9 mm, about 3.5 mm to about 1 cm,about 3.5 mm to about 1.5 cm, about 3.5 mm to about 2 cm, about 3.5 mmto about 2.5 cm, about 4 mm to about 4.5 mm, about 4 mm to about 5 mm,about 4 mm to about 6 mm, about 4 mm to about 7 mm, about 4 mm to about8 mm, about 4 mm to about 9 mm, about 4 mm to about 1 cm, about 4 mm toabout 1.5 cm, about 4 mm to about 2 cm, about 4 mm to about 2.5 cm,about 4.5 mm to about 5 mm, about 4.5 mm to about 6 mm, about 4.5 mm toabout 7 mm, about 4.5 mm to about 8 mm, about 4.5 mm to about 9 mm,about 4.5 mm to about 1 cm, about 4.5 mm to about 1.5 cm, about 4.5 mmto about 2 cm, about 4.5 mm to about 2.5 cm, about 5 mm to about 6 mm,about 5 mm to about 7 mm, about 5 mm to about 8 mm, about 5 mm to about9 mm, about 5 mm to about 1 cm, about 5 mm to about 1.5 cm, about 5 mmto about 2 cm, about 5 mm to about 2.5 cm, about 7.5 mm to about 1 cm,about 7.5 mm to about 1.5 cm, about 7.5 mm to about 2 cm, about 7.5 mmto about 2.5 cm, about 1 cm to about 1.5 cm, about 1 cm to about 2 cm,about 1 cm to about 2.5 cm, about 1.5 cm to about 2 cm, about 1.5 cm toabout 2.5 cm, or about 2 cm to about 2.5 cm.

In some embodiments, a left and a right lateral arm can eachindependently have a thickness of, e.g., about 2 mm, about 2.5 mm, about3 mm, about 4 mm, about 4.5 mm, or about 5 mm. In some embodiments, aleft and a right lateral arm can each independently have a thickness of,e.g., at least 2 mm, at least 2.5 mm, at least 3 mm, at least 4 mm, atleast 4.5 mm, or at least 5 mm. In some embodiments, a left and a rightlateral arm can each independently have a thickness of, e.g., at most 2mm, at most 2.5 mm, at most 3 mm, or at most 4 mm, at most 4.5 mm, or atmost 5 mm. In some embodiments, a left and a right lateral arm can eachindependently have a thickness of, e.g., about 2 mm to about 2.5 mm,about 2 mm to about 3 mm, about 2 mm to about 3.5 mm, about 2 mm toabout 4 mm, about 2 mm to about 4.5 mm, about 2 mm to about 5 mm, about2.5 mm to about 3 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 3.5 mm, about 2.5 mm toabout 4 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 4.5 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 5 mm,about 3 mm to about 3.5 mm, about 3.5 mm to about 4 mm, about 3 mm toabout 4.5 mm, about 3.5 mm to about 5 mm, or about 4 mm to about 5 mm.

In some embodiments, the size and dimension of a left and a rightlateral arm is independently shaped to impart a full jawlineenhancement, with the length of each arm gradually tapering in heightand thickness in a direction toward the end of each arm. In someembodiments, the size and dimension of a left and a right lateral arm isindependently shaped to impart a full jawline enhancement, with thelength of each arm tapering in height and thickness in a directiontoward the end of each arm. In some embodiments, a left and a rightlateral arm is independently tapered from a height of about 3 mm toabout 6 mm from the border of the mental arch to a height of about 2 mmto about 4 mm at the lateral end of the arm and independently taperedfrom a thickness of about 3 mm to about 5 mm from the border of themental arch to a height of about 2 mm to about 4 mm at the lateral endof the arm.

In some embodiments, the size and dimension of a left and a rightlateral arm is independently shaped to impart a narrow jawlineenhancement, with the length of each arm tapering in height andthickness in a direction toward the end of each arm. In someembodiments, a left and a right lateral arm is independently taperedfrom a height of about 2 mm to about 4 mm from the border of the mentalarch to a height of about 1 mm to about 2 mm at the lateral end of thearm and independently tapered from a thickness of about 2 mm to about 3mm from the border of the mental arch to a height of about 1 mm to about2 mm at the lateral end of the arm.

In some embodiments, the size and dimension of a left and a rightlateral arm is independently shaped to impart a expanded jawlineenhancement, with the length of each arm increasing in height andthickness in a direction toward the end of each arm. In someembodiments, a left and a right lateral arm is independently increasedfrom a height of about 3 mm to about 5 mm from the border of the mentalarch to a height of about 4 mm to about 6 mm at the lateral end of thearm and independently increased from a thickness of about 1 mm to about3 mm from the border of the mental arch to a height of about 2 mm toabout 4 mm at the lateral end of the arm.

In some embodiments, left and right lateral arms can each independentlyhave one or more protrusions or lateral projections located on the outersurface. Protrusions are lateral bumps extending radially outward fromthe outer surface of a lateral arm and each is configured to fill in andsmooth out soft tissue defects on the side of the jaw and provide anaesthetic enhancement to the jawline. Positioning of a protrusion on aleft or right lateral arm can vary in location depending on the desiredanatomical effect. In some embodiments, a left and a right lateral armeach independently has protrusion with each protrusion sized anddimensioned identically or substantially similar to each other. In someembodiments, a left and a right lateral arm each independently hasprotrusion with each protrusion sized and dimensioned identically orsubstantially similar to each other, are symmetrically positioned onleft and right lateral arms. In some embodiments, a left and a rightlateral arm each independently has two protrusions with each protrusionsized and dimensioned identically or substantially similar to eachother. In some embodiments, a left and a right lateral arm eachindependently has two protrusions with each protrusion sized anddimensioned identically or substantially similar to each other, aresymmetrically positioned on left and right lateral arms.

A protrusion can have a length, height and thickness and each is sizedand dimensioned to augment tissue and confer an aesthetically pleasingprofile of the augmented tissue once implanted. In some embodiments, aprotrusion can have a length of, e.g., about 0.5 cm, about 0.75 cm,about 1 cm, about 1.5 cm, about 2 cm, about 2.5 cm, about 3 cm, about3.5 cm, about 4 cm, about 4.5 cm, or about 5 cm, or ranges including anytwo of the foregoing values. In some embodiments, a protrusion can havea length of, e.g., at least 0.5 cm, at least 0.75 cm, at least 1 cm, atleast 1.5 cm, at least 2 cm, at least 2.5 cm, at least 3 cm, at least3.5 cm, at least 4 cm, at least 4.5 cm, or at least 5 cm. In someembodiments, a protrusion can have a length of, e.g., at most 0.5 cm, atmost 0.75 cm, at most 1 cm, at most 1.5 cm, at most 2 cm, at most 2.5cm, at most 3 cm, at most 3.5 cm, at most 4 cm, at most 4.5 cm, or atmost 5 cm.

In some embodiments, a protrusion can have a length of, e.g., about 0.5cm about 0.75 cm, about 0.5 cm to about 1 cm, about 0.5 cm to about 1.5cm, about 0.5 cm to about 2 cm, about 0.5 cm to about 2.5 cm, about 0.5cm to about 3 cm, about 0.5 cm to about 3.5 cm, about 0.5 cm to about 4cm, about 0.5 cm to about 4.5 cm, about 0.5 cm to about 5 cm, about 0.75cm to about 1.5 cm, about 0.75 cm to about 2 cm, about 0.75 cm to about2.5 cm, about 0.75 cm to about 3 cm, about 0.75 cm to about 3.5 cm,about 0.75 cm to about 4 cm, about 0.75 cm to about 4.5 cm, about 0.75cm to about 5 cm, about 1 cm to about 1.5 cm, about 1 cm to about 2 cm,about 1 cm to about 2.5 cm, about 1 cm to about 3 cm, about 1 cm toabout 3.5 cm, about 1 cm to about 4 cm, about 1 cm to about 4.5 cm,about 1 cm to about 5 cm, about 1.5 cm to about 2 cm, about 1.5 cm toabout 2.5 cm, about 1.5 cm to about 3 cm, about 1.5 cm to about 3.5 cm,about 1.5 cm to about 4 cm, about 1.5 cm to about 4.5 cm, about 1.5 cmto about 5 cm, about 2 cm to about 2.5 cm, about 2 cm to about 3 cm,about 2 cm to about 3.5 cm, about 2 cm to about 4 cm, about 2 cm toabout 4.5 cm, about 2 cm to about 5 cm, about 2.5 cm to about 3 cm,about 2.5 cm to about 3.5 cm, about 2.5 cm to about 4 cm, about 2.5 cmto about 4.5 cm, about 2.5 cm to about 5 cm, about 3 cm to about 3.5 cm,about 3 cm to about 4 cm, about 3 cm to about 4.5 cm, about 3 cm toabout 5 cm, about 3.5 cm to about 4 cm, about 3.5 cm to about 4.5 cm,about 3.5 cm to about 5 cm, about 4 cm to about 4.5 cm, about 4 cm toabout 5 cm, or about 4.5 cm to about 5 cm.

In some embodiments, a protrusion can have a height of, e.g., about 2mm, about 2.5 mm, about 3 mm, about 3.5 cm, about 4 mm, about 4.5 mm,about 5 mm, about 6 mm, about 7 mm, about 8 mm, about 9 mm, about 1 cm,about 1.5 cm, about 2 cm or about 2.5 cm. In some embodiments, aprotrusion can have a height of, e.g., at least 2 mm, at least 2.5 mm,at least 3 mm, at least 3.5 cm, at least 4 mm, at least 4.5 mm, at least5 mm, at least 6 mm, at least 7 mm, at least 8 mm, at least 9 mm, atleast 1 cm, at least 1.5 cm, at least 2 cm or at least 2.5 cm. In someembodiments, a protrusion can have a height of, e.g., at most 2 mm, atmost 2.5 mm, at most 3 mm, at most 3.5 cm, at most 4 mm, at most 4.5 mm,at most 5 mm, at most 6 mm, at most 7 mm, at most 8 mm, at most 9 mm, atmost 1 cm, at most 1.5 cm, at most 2 cm or at most 2.5 cm. In someembodiments, a protrusion can have a height of, e.g., about 2 mm toabout 2.5 mm, about 2 mm to about 3 mm, about 2 mm to about 3.5 mm,about 2 mm to about 4 mm, about 2 mm to about 4.5 mm, about 2 mm toabout 5 mm, about 2 mm to about 6 mm, about 2 mm to about 7 mm, about 2mm to about 8 mm, about 2 mm to about 9 mm, about 2 mm to about 1 cm,about 2 mm to about 1.5 cm, about 2 mm to about 2 cm, about 2 mm toabout 2.5 cm, about 2.5 mm to about 3 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 3.5 mm,about 2.5 mm to about 4 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 4.5 mm, about 2.5 mmto about 5 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 6 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 7 mm,about 2.5 mm to about 8 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 9 mm, about 2.5 mm toabout 1 cm, about 2.5 mm to about 1.5 cm, about 2.5 mm to about 2 cm,about 2.5 mm to about 2.5 cm, about 3 mm to about 3.5 mm, about 3 mm toabout 4 mm, about 3 mm to about 4.5 mm, about 3 mm to about 5 mm, about3 mm to about 6 mm, about 3 mm to about 7 mm, about 3 mm to about 8 mm,about 3 mm to about 9 mm, about 3 mm to about 1 cm, about 3 mm to about1.5 cm, about 3 mm to about 2 cm, about 3 mm to about 2.5 cm, about 3.5mm to about 4 mm, about 3.5 mm to about 4.5 mm, about 3.5 mm to about 5mm, about 3.5 mm to about 6 mm, about 3.5 mm to about 7 mm, about 3.5 mmto about 8 mm, about 3.5 mm to about 9 mm, about 3.5 mm to about 1 cm,about 3.5 mm to about 1.5 cm, about 3.5 mm to about 2 cm, about 3.5 mmto about 2.5 cm, about 4 mm to about 4.5 mm, about 4 mm to about 5 mm,about 4 mm to about 6 mm, about 4 mm to about 7 mm, about 4 mm to about8 mm, about 4 mm to about 9 mm, about 4 mm to about 1 cm, about 4 mm toabout 1.5 cm, about 4 mm to about 2 cm, about 4 mm to about 2.5 cm,about 4.5 mm to about 5 mm, about 4.5 mm to about 6 mm, about 4.5 mm toabout 7 mm, about 4.5 mm to about 8 mm, about 4.5 mm to about 9 mm,about 4.5 mm to about 1 cm, about 4.5 mm to about 1.5 cm, about 4.5 mmto about 2 cm, about 4.5 mm to about 2.5 cm, about 5 mm to about 6 mm,about 5 mm to about 7 mm, about 5 mm to about 8 mm, about 5 mm to about9 mm, about 5 mm to about 1 cm, about 5 mm to about 1.5 cm, about 5 mmto about 2 cm, about 5 mm to about 2.5 cm, about 7.5 mm to about 1 cm,about 7.5 mm to about 1.5 cm, about 7.5 mm to about 2 cm, about 7.5 mmto about 2.5 cm, about 1 cm to about 1.5 cm, about 1 cm to about 2 cm,about 1 cm to about 2.5 cm, about 1.5 cm to about 2 cm, about 1.5 cm toabout 2.5 cm, or about 2 cm to about 2.5 cm.

In some embodiments, a protrusion extends radially outward from an outersurface of a lateral arm and can have a thickness of, e.g., about 1 mm,about 2 mm, about 3 mm, about 4 mm, about 5 mm, about 6 mm, about 7 mm,about 8 mm, about 9 mm, about 1 cm, about 1.5 cm, about 2 cm, about 2.5cm, or about 3 cm, or ranges including any two of the foregoing values.In some embodiments, a protrusion extends radially outward from an outersurface of a lateral arm and can have a thickness of, e.g., at least 1mm, at least 2 mm, at least 3 mm, at least 4 mm, at least 5 mm, at least6 mm, at least 7 mm, at least 8 mm, at least 9 mm, at least 1 cm, atleast 1.5 cm, at least 2 cm, at least 2.5 cm, or at least 3 cm. In someembodiments, a protrusion extends radially outward from an outer surfaceof a lateral arm and can have a thickness of, e.g., at most 1 mm, atmost 2 mm, at most 3 mm, at most 4 mm, at most 5 mm, at most 6 mm, atmost 7 mm, at most 8 mm, at most 9 mm, at most 1 cm, at most 1.5 cm, atmost 2 cm, at most 2.5 cm, or at most 3 cm. In some embodiments, aprotrusion extends radially outward from an outer surface of a lateralarm and can have a thickness of, e.g., about 1 mm to about 2.5 mm, about1 mm to about 5 mm, about 1 mm to about 7.5 mm, about 1 mm to about 1cm, about 1 mm to about 1.5 cm, about 1 mm to about 2 cm, about 1 mm toabout 2.5 cm, about 1 mm to about 3 cm, about 2 mm to about 3 mm, about2.5 mm to about 5 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 7.5 mm, about 2.5 mm toabout 1 cm, about 2.5 mm to about 1.5 cm, about 2.5 mm to about 2 cm,about 2.5 mm to about 2.5 cm, about 2.5 mm to about 3 cm, about 5 mm toabout 7.5 mm, about 5 mm to about 1 cm, about 5 mm to about 1.5 cm,about 5 mm to about 2 cm, about 5 mm to about 2.5 cm, about 5 mm toabout 3 cm, about 7.5 mm to about 1 cm, about 7.5 mm to about 1.5 cm,about 7.5 mm to about 2 cm, about 7.5 mm to about 2.5 cm, about 7.5 mmto about 3 cm, about 1 cm to about 1.5 cm, about 1 cm to about 2 cm,about 1 cm to about 2.5 cm, about 1 cm to about 3 cm, about 1.5 cm toabout 2 cm, about 1.5 cm to about 2.5 cm, about 1.5 cm to about 3 cm,about 2 cm to about 2.5 cm, about 2 cm to about 3 cm, or about 2.5 cm toabout 3 cm.

In some embodiments, left and right lateral arms can each independentlyhave a ramus extension projecting superiorly from the top edge of theirrespective lateral end. A ramus extension forms a discrete back jawcomponent that provides a mandibular angle augmentation or enhancement.A ramus extension disclosed herein has a length, a height, and athickness and is sized and dimensioned to conform to the general shapeof a portion of the ramus of the mandible for which it is designed toprovide an aesthetic enhancement to the jaw. Additionally, an innersurface of a ramus extension is generally shaped to conform to thecontours of the ramus region of the mandible in order to properly seaton the surface of the ramus.

In some embodiments, a ramus extension can have a length of, e.g., about2 mm, about 2.5 mm, about 3 mm, about 3.5 cm, about 4 mm, about 4.5 mm,about 5 mm, about 6 mm, about 7 mm, about 8 mm, about 9 mm, about 1 cm,about 1.5 cm, about 2 cm or about 2.5 cm. In some embodiments, a ramusextension can have a length of, e.g., at least 2 mm, at least 2.5 mm, atleast 3 mm, at least 3.5 cm, at least 4 mm, at least 4.5 mm, at least 5mm, at least 6 mm, at least 7 mm, at least 8 mm, at least 9 mm, at least1 cm, at least 1.5 cm, at least 2 cm or at least 2.5 cm. In someembodiments, a ramus extension can have a length of, e.g., at most 2 mm,at most 2.5 mm, at most 3 mm, at most 3.5 cm, at most 4 mm, at most 4.5mm, at most 5 mm, at most 6 mm, at most 7 mm, at most 8 mm, at most 9mm, at most 1 cm, at most 1.5 cm, at most 2 cm or at most 2.5 cm. Insome embodiments, a ramus extension can have a length of, e.g., about 2mm to about 2.5 mm, about 2 mm to about 3 mm, about 2 mm to about 3.5mm, about 2 mm to about 4 mm, about 2 mm to about 4.5 mm, about 2 mm toabout 5 mm, about 2 mm to about 6 mm, about 2 mm to about 7 mm, about 2mm to about 8 mm, about 2 mm to about 9 mm, about 2 mm to about 1 cm,about 2 mm to about 1.5 cm, about 2 mm to about 2 cm, about 2 mm toabout 2.5 cm, about 2.5 mm to about 3 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 3.5 mm,about 2.5 mm to about 4 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 4.5 mm, about 2.5 mmto about 5 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 6 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 7 mm,about 2.5 mm to about 8 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 9 mm, about 2.5 mm toabout 1 cm, about 2.5 mm to about 1.5 cm, about 2.5 mm to about 2 cm,about 2.5 mm to about 2.5 cm, about 3 mm to about 3.5 mm, about 3 mm toabout 4 mm, about 3 mm to about 4.5 mm, about 3 mm to about 5 mm, about3 mm to about 6 mm, about 3 mm to about 7 mm, about 3 mm to about 8 mm,about 3 mm to about 9 mm, about 3 mm to about 1 cm, about 3 mm to about1.5 cm, about 3 mm to about 2 cm, about 3 mm to about 2.5 cm, about 3.5mm to about 4 mm, about 3.5 mm to about 4.5 mm, about 3.5 mm to about 5mm, about 3.5 mm to about 6 mm, about 3.5 mm to about 7 mm, about 3.5 mmto about 8 mm, about 3.5 mm to about 9 mm, about 3.5 mm to about 1 cm,about 3.5 mm to about 1.5 cm, about 3.5 mm to about 2 cm, about 3.5 mmto about 2.5 cm, about 4 mm to about 4.5 mm, about 4 mm to about 5 mm,about 4 mm to about 6 mm, about 4 mm to about 7 mm, about 4 mm to about8 mm, about 4 mm to about 9 mm, about 4 mm to about 1 cm, about 4 mm toabout 1.5 cm, about 4 mm to about 2 cm, about 4 mm to about 2.5 cm,about 4.5 mm to about 5 mm, about 4.5 mm to about 6 mm, about 4.5 mm toabout 7 mm, about 4.5 mm to about 8 mm, about 4.5 mm to about 9 mm,about 4.5 mm to about 1 cm, about 4.5 mm to about 1.5 cm, about 4.5 mmto about 2 cm, about 4.5 mm to about 2.5 cm, about 5 mm to about 6 mm,about 5 mm to about 7 mm, about 5 mm to about 8 mm, about 5 mm to about9 mm, about 5 mm to about 1 cm, about 5 mm to about 1.5 cm, about 5 mmto about 2 cm, about 5 mm to about 2.5 cm, about 7.5 mm to about 1 cm,about 7.5 mm to about 1.5 cm, about 7.5 mm to about 2 cm, about 7.5 mmto about 2.5 cm, about 1 cm to about 1.5 cm, about 1 cm to about 2 cm,about 1 cm to about 2.5 cm, about 1.5 cm to about 2 cm, about 1.5 cm toabout 2.5 cm, or about 2 cm to about 2.5 cm.

In some embodiments, a ramus extension can have a height of, e.g., about2 mm, about 2.5 mm, about 3 mm, about 3.5 cm, about 4 mm, about 4.5 mm,about 5 mm, about 6 mm, about 7 mm, about 8 mm, about 9 mm, about 1 cm,about 1.5 cm, about 2 cm or about 2.5 cm. In some embodiments, a ramusextension can have a height of, e.g., at least 2 mm, at least 2.5 mm, atleast 3 mm, at least 3.5 cm, at least 4 mm, at least 4.5 mm, at least 5mm, at least 6 mm, at least 7 mm, at least 8 mm, at least 9 mm, at least1 cm, at least 1.5 cm, at least 2 cm or at least 2.5 cm. In someembodiments, a ramus extension can have a height of, e.g., at most 2 mm,at most 2.5 mm, at most 3 mm, at most 3.5 cm, at most 4 mm, at most 4.5mm, at most 5 mm, at most 6 mm, at most 7 mm, at most 8 mm, at most 9mm, at most 1 cm, at most 1.5 cm, at most 2 cm or at most 2.5 cm. Insome embodiments, a ramus extension can have a height of, e.g., about 2mm to about 2.5 mm, about 2 mm to about 3 mm, about 2 mm to about 3.5mm, about 2 mm to about 4 mm, about 2 mm to about 4.5 mm, about 2 mm toabout 5 mm, about 2 mm to about 6 mm, about 2 mm to about 7 mm, about 2mm to about 8 mm, about 2 mm to about 9 mm, about 2 mm to about 1 cm,about 2 mm to about 1.5 cm, about 2 mm to about 2 cm, about 2 mm toabout 2.5 cm, about 2.5 mm to about 3 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 3.5 mm,about 2.5 mm to about 4 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 4.5 mm, about 2.5 mmto about 5 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 6 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 7 mm,about 2.5 mm to about 8 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 9 mm, about 2.5 mm toabout 1 cm, about 2.5 mm to about 1.5 cm, about 2.5 mm to about 2 cm,about 2.5 mm to about 2.5 cm, about 3 mm to about 3.5 mm, about 3 mm toabout 4 mm, about 3 mm to about 4.5 mm, about 3 mm to about 5 mm, about3 mm to about 6 mm, about 3 mm to about 7 mm, about 3 mm to about 8 mm,about 3 mm to about 9 mm, about 3 mm to about 1 cm, about 3 mm to about1.5 cm, about 3 mm to about 2 cm, about 3 mm to about 2.5 cm, about 3.5mm to about 4 mm, about 3.5 mm to about 4.5 mm, about 3.5 mm to about 5mm, about 3.5 mm to about 6 mm, about 3.5 mm to about 7 mm, about 3.5 mmto about 8 mm, about 3.5 mm to about 9 mm, about 3.5 mm to about 1 cm,about 3.5 mm to about 1.5 cm, about 3.5 mm to about 2 cm, about 3.5 mmto about 2.5 cm, about 4 mm to about 4.5 mm, about 4 mm to about 5 mm,about 4 mm to about 6 mm, about 4 mm to about 7 mm, about 4 mm to about8 mm, about 4 mm to about 9 mm, about 4 mm to about 1 cm, about 4 mm toabout 1.5 cm, about 4 mm to about 2 cm, about 4 mm to about 2.5 cm,about 4.5 mm to about 5 mm, about 4.5 mm to about 6 mm, about 4.5 mm toabout 7 mm, about 4.5 mm to about 8 mm, about 4.5 mm to about 9 mm,about 4.5 mm to about 1 cm, about 4.5 mm to about 1.5 cm, about 4.5 mmto about 2 cm, about 4.5 mm to about 2.5 cm, about 5 mm to about 6 mm,about 5 mm to about 7 mm, about 5 mm to about 8 mm, about 5 mm to about9 mm, about 5 mm to about 1 cm, about 5 mm to about 1.5 cm, about 5 mmto about 2 cm, about 5 mm to about 2.5 cm, about 7.5 mm to about 1 cm,about 7.5 mm to about 1.5 cm, about 7.5 mm to about 2 cm, about 7.5 mmto about 2.5 cm, about 1 cm to about 1.5 cm, about 1 cm to about 2 cm,about 1 cm to about 2.5 cm, about 1.5 cm to about 2 cm, about 1.5 cm toabout 2.5 cm, or about 2 cm to about 2.5 cm.

In some embodiments, a ramus extension can have a thickness of, e.g.,about 2 mm, about 2.5 mm, about 3 mm, about 4 mm, about 4.5 mm, or about5 mm. In some embodiments, the mental arch can have a length of, e.g.,at least 2 mm, at least 2.5 mm, at least 3 mm, at least 4 mm, at least4.5 mm, or at least 5 mm. In some embodiments, a ramus extension canhave a thickness of, e.g., at most 2 mm, at most 2.5 mm, at most 3 mm,or at most 4 mm, at most 4.5 mm, or at most 5 mm. In some embodiments, aramus extension can have a thickness of, e.g., about 2 mm to about 2.5mm, about 2 mm to about 3 mm, about 2 mm to about 3.5 mm, about 2 mm toabout 4 mm, about 2 mm to about 4.5 mm, about 2 mm to about 5 mm, about2.5 mm to about 3 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 3.5 mm, about 2.5 mm toabout 4 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 4.5 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 5 mm,about 3 mm to about 3.5 mm, about 3.5 mm to about 4 mm, about 3 mm toabout 4.5 mm, about 3.5 mm to about 5 mm, or about 4 mm to about 5 mm.

In some embodiments, a mandibular implant disclosed herein can have oneor more tabs projecting posteriorly from the bottom edge of the innersurface of the mental arch, left lateral arm, right lateral arm, or anycombination thereof. A tab disclosed herein is configured to fitunderneath the edge of a portion of the mandible in order to secureproper placement of a mandibular implant disclosed herein. A tabdisclosed herein increase stability of mandibular implant, preventfibrous attachment to the mandible, as well as provide a smoothtransition between different or adjacent areas of the mandible. A tabdisclosed herein can be integrally formed with, or separately attachedto the inner surface of a mandibular implant disclosed herein, and bemade of the same or a different material from the implant. Non-limitingexamples of a tab include a base tab, a submental tab, and an extendedtab which cover the submental and a portion of the base of themandibular body.

In some embodiments, a mandibular implant disclosed herein can have onetab projecting posteriorly from the bottom edge of the inner surface ofthe mental arch, left lateral arm, right lateral arm, or any combinationthereof. In some embodiments, a mandibular implant disclosed herein canhave a plurality of tabs projecting posteriorly from the bottom edge ofthe inner surface of the mental arch, left lateral arm, right lateralarm, or any combination thereof. In aspects of these embodiments, amandibular implant disclosed herein can have 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 tabsprojecting posteriorly from the bottom edge of the inner surface of themental arch, left lateral arm, right lateral arm, or any combinationthereof. In other aspects of these embodiments, a mandibular implantdisclosed herein can have at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least5, at least 6, at least 7, or at least 8 tabs projecting posteriorlyfrom the bottom edge of the inner surface of the mental arch, leftlateral arm, right lateral arm, or any combination thereof. In yet otheraspects of these embodiments, a mandibular implant disclosed herein canhave at most 2, at most 3, at most 4, at most 5, at most 6, at most 7,or at most 8 tabs projecting posteriorly from the bottom edge of theinner surface of the mental arch, left lateral arm, right lateral arm,or any combination thereof. In aspects of these embodiments, amandibular implant disclosed herein can have 2 to 3, 2 to 4, 2 to 5, 2to 6, 2 to 7, 2 to 8, 3 to 4, 3 to 5, 3 to 6, 3 to 7, 3 to 8, 4 to 5, 4to 6, 4 to 7, 4 to 8, 5 to 6, 5 to 7, 5 to 8, 6 to 7, 6 to 8, or 7 to 8tabs projecting posteriorly from the bottom edge of the inner surface ofthe mental arch, left lateral arm, right lateral arm, or any combinationthereof. When more than one tab is present, the tabs are laterally butnot necessarily evenly spaced-apart along the bottom edge of the innersurface of the portion of the mandibular implant.

A tab disclosed herein has a length, a height, and a thickness and issized and dimensioned to provide a securing fit to the underneath edgeof a portion of the mandible in order to secure proper placement of amandibular implant disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a tabdisclosed herein can have a length of, e.g., about 2 mm, about 3 mm,about 4 mm, about 5 mm, about 6 mm, about 7 mm, about 8 mm, about 9 mm,about 1 cm, about 1.5 cm, about 2 cm, about 3 cm, about 4 cm, about 5cm, or about 6 cm. In some embodiments, a tab disclosed herein can havea length of, e.g., at least 2 mm, at least 3 mm, at least 4 mm, at least5 mm, at least 6 mm, at least 7 mm, at least 8 mm, at least 9 mm, atleast 1 cm, at least 1.5 cm, at least 2 cm, at least 3 cm, at least 4cm, at least 5 cm, or at least 6 cm. In some embodiments, a tabdisclosed herein can have a length of, e.g., at most 2 mm, at most 3 mm,at most 4 mm, at most 5 mm, at most 6 mm, at most 7 mm, at most 8 mm, atmost 9 mm, at most 1 cm, at most 1.5 cm, at most 2 cm, at most 3 cm, atmost 4 cm, at most 5 cm, or at most 6 cm.

In some embodiments, a tab disclosed herein can have a length of, e.g.,about 2 m to about 3 mm, about 2 mm to about 4 mm, about 2 mm to about 5mm, about 2 mm to about 6 mm, about 2 mm to about 7 mm, about 2 mm toabout 8 mm, about 2 mm to about 9 mm, about 2 mm to about 1 cm, about 2mm to about 2 cm, about 2 mm to about 3 cm, about 2 mm to about 4 cm,about 2 mm to about 5 cm, about 2 mm to about 6 cm, about 3 mm to about4 mm, about 3 mm to about 5 mm, about 3 mm to about 6 mm, about 3 mm toabout 7 mm, about 3 mm to about 8 mm, about 3 mm to about 9 mm, about 3mm to about 1 cm, about 3 mm to about 2 cm, about 3 mm to about 3 cm,about 3 mm to about 4 cm, about 3 mm to about 5 cm, about 3 mm to about6 cm, about 4 mm to about 5 mm, about 4 mm to about 6 mm, about 4 mm toabout 7 mm, about 4 mm to about 8 mm, about 4 mm to about 9 mm, about 4mm to about 1 cm, about 4 mm to about 2 cm, about 4 mm to about 3 cm,about 4 mm to about 4 cm, about 4 mm to about 5 cm, about 4 mm to about6 cm, about 5 mm to about 6 mm, about 5 mm to about 7 mm, about 5 mm toabout 8 mm, about 5 mm to about 9 mm, about 5 mm to about 1 cm, about 5mm to about 2 cm, about 5 mm to about 3 cm, about 5 mm to about 4 cm,about 5 mm to about 5 cm, about 5 mm to about 6 cm, about 1 cm to about2 cm, about 1 cm to about 3 cm, about 1 cm to about 4 cm, about 1 cm toabout 5 cm, about 1 cm to about 6 cm, about 2 cm to about 3 cm, about 2cm to about 4 cm, about 2 cm to about 5 cm, about 2 cm to about 6 cm,about 3 cm to about 4 cm, about 3 cm to about 5 cm, about 3 cm to about6 cm, about 4 cm to about 5 cm, about 4 cm to about 6 cm, about 5 cm toabout 6 cm.

In some embodiments, a tab disclosed herein can have a length thatextends past the attachment location of left and right mandibularosteocutaneous ligaments. In some embodiments, a tab disclosed hereincan have a length that extends, e.g., about 1 cm, about 1.5 cm, about 2cm, about 2.5 cm, about 3 cm, about 3.5 cm, or about 4 cm past theattachment location of the left and right mandibular osteocutaneousligaments. In some embodiments, a tab disclosed herein can have a lengththat extends, e.g., at least 1 cm, at least 1.5 cm, at least 2 cm, atleast 2.5 cm, at least 3 cm, at least 3.5 cm, or at least 4 cm past theattachment location of the left and right mandibular osteocutaneousligaments. In some embodiments, a tab disclosed herein can have a lengththat extends, e.g., at most 1 cm, at most 1.5 cm, at most 2 cm, at most2.5 cm, at most 3 cm, at most 3.5 cm, or at most 4 cm past theattachment location of the left and right mandibular osteocutaneousligaments. In some embodiments, a tab disclosed herein can have a lengththat extends, e.g., about 1 cm to about 1.5 cm, about 1 cm to about 2cm, about 1 cm to about 2.5 cm, about 1 cm to about 3 cm, about 1 cm toabout 3.5 cm, about 1 cm to about 4 cm, about 2 cm to about 3 cm, bout 2cm to about 3.5 cm, about 2 cm to about 4 cm, about 3 cm to about 3.5cm, about 3 cm to about 4 cm, or about 3.5 cm to about 4 cm, past theattachment location of the left and right mandibular osteocutaneousligaments. In some embodiments, a tab disclosed herein can have a lengththat extend all the way to the gonial angle of the mandible.

In some embodiments, a tab disclosed herein can have a height of, e.g.,about 1 mm, about 2 mm, about 2.5 mm, about 3 mm, about 4 mm, about 4.5mm, or about 5 mm. In some embodiments, a tab disclosed herein can havea height of, e.g., at least 1 mm, at least 2 mm, at least 2.5 mm, atleast 3 mm, at least 4 mm, at least 4.5 mm, or at least 5 mm. In someembodiments, a tab disclosed herein can have a height of, e.g., at most1 mm, at most 2 mm, at most 2.5 mm, at most 3 mm, or at most 4 mm, atmost 4.5 mm, or at most 5 mm. In some embodiments, a tab disclosedherein can have a height of, e.g., about 1 mm to about 2 mm, about 1 mmto about 2.5 mm, about 1 mm to about 1 mm, about 1 mm to about 3.5 mm,about 1 mm to about 4 mm, about 1 mm to about 4.5 mm, about 1 mm toabout 5 mm, about 2 mm to about 2.5 mm, about 2 mm to about 3 mm, about2 mm to about 3.5 mm, about 2 mm to about 4 mm, about 2 mm to about 4.5mm, about 2 mm to about 5 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 3 mm, about 2.5 mmto about 3.5 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 4 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 4.5mm, about 2.5 mm to about 5 mm, about 3 mm to about 3.5 mm, about 3.5 mmto about 4 mm, about 3 mm to about 4.5 mm, about 3.5 mm to about 5 mm,or about 4 mm to about 5 mm.

In some embodiments, a tab disclosed herein can have a thickness of,e.g., about 1 mm, about 2 mm, about 2.5 mm, about 3 mm, about 4 mm,about 4.5 mm, or about 5 mm. In some embodiments, a tab disclosed hereincan have a thickness of, e.g., at least 1 mm, at least 2 mm, at least2.5 mm, at least 3 mm, at least 4 mm, at least 4.5 mm, or at least 5 mm.In some embodiments, a tab disclosed herein can have a thickness of,e.g., at most 1 mm, at most 2 mm, at most 2.5 mm, at most 3 mm, or atmost 4 mm, at most 4.5 mm, or at most 5 mm. In some embodiments, a tabdisclosed herein can have a thickness of, e.g., about 1 mm to about 2mm, about 1 mm to about 2.5 mm, about 1 mm to about 1 mm, about 1 mm toabout 3.5 mm, about 1 mm to about 4 mm, about 1 mm to about 4.5 mm,about 1 mm to about 5 mm, about 2 mm to about 2.5 mm, about 2 mm toabout 3 mm, about 2 mm to about 3.5 mm, about 2 mm to about 4 mm, about2 mm to about 4.5 mm, about 2 mm to about 5 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 3mm, about 2.5 mm to about 3.5 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 4 mm, about 2.5mm to about 4.5 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 5 mm, about 3 mm to about 3.5mm, about 3.5 mm to about 4 mm, about 3 mm to about 4.5 mm, about 3.5 mmto about 5 mm, or about 4 mm to about 5 mm.

Aspects of the present specification can also be described by thefollowing embodiments:

-   1. A method of mandibular augmentation or enhancement, comprising:    accessing one or more segments of a left and/or a right anterior    mental fibrous condensation; releasing one or more segments of the    left and/or the right anterior mental fibrous condensation from    their one or more respective mandibular attachment sites;    subperiosteally releasing one or more mandibular ligaments from    their respective one or more mandibular attachment points to form a    subperiosteal implantation cavity; and inserting of a mandibular    implant into the subperiosteal implantation cavity.-   2. The method of embodiment 1, wherein accessing the one or more    segments of a left and/or right anterior mental fibrous condensation    is accomplished by creating an incision through an external skin    surface located in a submental space.-   3. The method of embodiment 2, further comprising dissecting through    soft tissue underlying the incision site until one or more    attachment points of one or more segments of a left and/or a right    anterior mental fibrous condensation are identified.-   4. The method of any one of embodiments 1-3, wherein accessing the    one or more segments of a left and/or right anterior mental fibrous    condensation is accomplished by creating an intraoral incision    through the vestibule of the mouth.-   5. The method of embodiment 4, further comprising dissecting deep    through the soft tissue underlying the incision site to a    sub-periosteal level and then extending the dissection until one or    more attachment points of one or more segments of a left and/or a    right anterior mental fibrous condensation are identified.-   6. The method of any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein releasing is    accomplished by excising and severing the one or more segments at    their respective attachment sites on the mandible using a scalpel, a    scissors, or an electromagnetic energy device.-   7. The method of any one of embodiments 1-6, wherein the one or more    mandibular ligaments comprises a left medial mandibular ligament, a    left mandibulocutaneous ligament, a right medial mandibular    ligament, a right mandibulocutaneous ligament, or any combination    thereof.-   8. The method of any one of embodiments 1-7, wherein subperiosteally    releasing one or more mandibular ligaments is accomplished by blunt    dissection using a periosteal elevator.-   9. The method of any one of embodiments 1-8, the subperiosteal    implantation cavity is extended laterally any posterior distance    past an attachment site of the one or more mandibular ligaments.-   10. The method of any one of embodiments 1-9, wherein the    subperiosteal implantation cavity formed extends laterally to a    point posterior to an attachment site of a mandibulocutaneous    ligament.-   11. The method of any one of embodiments 1-10, wherein the    subperiosteal implantation cavity formed extends laterally to a    point posterior to past an attachment site of a mandibulocutaneous    ligament and up to a gonial angle.-   12. The method of any one of embodiments 1-11, wherein the    subperiosteal implantation cavity formed extends about midway    between an attachment site of a mandibulocutaneous ligament and a    gonial angle.-   13. The method of any one of embodiments 1-12, wherein the    subperiosteal implantation cavity formed extends to a gonial angle.-   14. The method of any one of embodiments 1-13, further comprising    closing of the incision site once insertion of the mandibular    implant is completed.-   15. The method of any one of embodiments 1-14, wherein after    insertion the mandibular implant acts as a spacer to maintain    periosteum above the mandible and inhibit periosteal re-attachment.-   16. The method of any one of embodiments 1-15, wherein after    insertion of the mandibular implant a chin area is augmented by a    volume that is at least about 20% more than the volume of the    mandibular implant.-   17. The method of any one of embodiments 1-16, wherein the inserted    mandibular implant augments a jaw area from an attachment site of a    left mandibulocutaneous ligament to an attachment site of a right    mandibulocutaneous ligament.-   18. The method of any one of embodiments 1-16, wherein the inserted    mandibular implant augments a jaw area from a point posterior to an    attachment site of a left mandibulocutaneous ligament and up to a    left gonial angle to a point posterior to an attachment site of a    right mandibulocutaneous ligament and up to a right gonial angle.-   19. The method of any one of embodiments 1-16, wherein the inserted    mandibular implant augments a jaw area from about midway between an    attachment site of a left mandibulocutaneous ligament and a left    gonial angle to about midway between an attachment site of a right    mandibulocutaneous ligament and a right gonial angle.-   20. The method of any one of embodiments 1-16, wherein the inserted    mandibular implant augments a jaw area from a left gonial angle to a    right gonial angle.-   21. The method of any one of embodiments 1-20, wherein the    mandibular implant comprises a volume of about 1 mL and about 50 mL.-   22. The method of any one of embodiments 1-21, wherein the method    reduces or eliminates jowls.-   23. The method of any one of embodiments 1-21, wherein the method    lifts the jowls.-   24. The method of any one of embodiments 1-23, wherein the method    does not comprise performing a face lift.-   25. The method of any one of embodiments 1-23, further comprising    performing a face lift procedure.-   26. The method of any one of embodiments 1-25, further comprising    augmenting a facial feature with one or more dermal filler    materials.-   27. A mandibular implant comprising: a body having a substantially    U-shaped structure comprising a first end region and a second end    region, the body sized and dimensioned to an axial length configured    to extend from a point laying in a region between an attachment    location of a left mandibular osteocutaneous ligament and a left    gonial angle to a region between the attachment location of the    right mandibular osteocutaneous ligament and the right gonial angle.-   28. The mandibular implant of embodiment 27, wherein the axial    length extends past the attachment location of the left mandibular    osteocutaneous ligament by about 3 mm to about 5 cm and extends past    the attachment location of the right mandibular osteocutaneous    ligament by about 3 mm to about 5 cm.-   29. The mandibular implant of embodiment 27, wherein the axial    length extends to the left gonial angle and to the right gonial    angle.-   30. The mandibular implant of any one of embodiments 27-29, wherein    the body comprising a mental arch, a left lateral arm, and a right    lateral arm.-   31. The mandibular implant of any one of embodiments 27-30, wherein    the body further comprises one or more protrusions projecting    radially outward from an outer surface of the body.-   32. The mandibular implant of any one of embodiments 27-31, wherein    the body further comprises a ramus extension projecting superiorly    from a top edge of the first end region of the body and a ramus    extension projecting superiorly from a top edge of the second end    region of the body.-   33. The mandibular implant of any one of embodiments 27-32, wherein    the body further comprises one or more tabs projecting posteriorly    from an inner surface of the body.-   34. The mandibular implant of embodiment 33, wherein the one or more    tabs comprise a base tab, a submental tab, an extended tab, or any    combination thereof.-   35. The mandibular implant of any one of embodiments 27-34, wherein    an outer surface and an inner surface of the body, the outer surface    being smooth, the inner surface being smooth, or both the outer and    inner surfaces being smooth.-   36. The mandibular implant of any one of embodiments 27-35, wherein    the body comprises an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer    surface being textured, the inner surface being textured, or both    the outer and inner surfaces being textured.-   37. The mandibular implant of any one of embodiments 27-36, wherein    the body is flexible.-   38. The mandibular implant of any one of embodiments 27-37, wherein    the body is composed of implantable biomaterial.-   39. The method of embodiment 37, wherein the implantable biomaterial    comprises silicone.-   40. The mandibular implant of any one of embodiments 27-39, wherein    the body comprises an outer shell and an inner core.-   41. The mandibular implant of embodiment 40, wherein the shell has    one unitary layer or a plurality of layers.-   42. The mandibular implant of any one of embodiments 27-41, wherein    the body is configured to be substantially filled with a filler.-   43. A mandibular implant as defined in any one of claims 27-41 for    use in the augmentation or enhancement of a jaw of an individual.-   44. The mandibular implant of claim 43, wherein the mandibular    implant augments a jaw area from a point posterior to an attachment    site of a left mandibulocutaneous ligament to a point posterior to    an attachment site of a right mandibulocutaneous ligament.-   45. The mandibular implant of claim 43, wherein the mandibular    implant augments a jaw area from a point posterior to an attachment    site of a left mandibulocutaneous ligament and up to a left gonial    angle to a point posterior to an attachment site of a right    mandibulocutaneous ligament and up to a right gonial angle.-   46. The mandibular implant of claim 43, wherein the mandibular    implant augments a jaw area from about midway between an attachment    site of a left mandibulocutaneous ligament and a left gonial angle    to about midway between an attachment site of a right    mandibulocutaneous ligament and a right gonial angle.-   47. The mandibular implant of claim 43, wherein the mandibular    implant augments a jaw area from a left gonial angle to a right    gonial angle.-   48. Use of a mandibular implant as defined in any one of claims    27-41 in the augmentation or enhancement of a jaw of an individual.-   49. The use of claim 48, wherein the mandibular implant augments a    jaw area from a point posterior to an attachment site of a left    mandibulocutaneous ligament to a point posterior to an attachment    site of a right mandibulocutaneous ligament.-   50. The use of claim 48, wherein the mandibular implant augments a    jaw area from a point posterior to an attachment site of a left    mandibulocutaneous ligament and up to a left gonial angle to a point    posterior to an attachment site of a right mandibulocutaneous    ligament and up to a right gonial angle.-   51. The use of claim 48, wherein the mandibular implant augments a    jaw area from about midway between an attachment site of a left    mandibulocutaneous ligament and a left gonial angle to about midway    between an attachment site of a right mandibulocutaneous ligament    and a right gonial angle.-   52. The use of claim 48, wherein the mandibular implant augments a    jaw area from a left gonial angle to a right gonial angle.

EXAMPLES

The following non-limiting examples are provided for illustrativepurposes only in order to facilitate a more complete understanding ofrepresentative embodiments now contemplated. These examples should notbe construed to limit any of the embodiments described in the presentspecification, including those pertaining to the mandibular implantsdisclosed herein, the use of such disclosed implants, or the methods ofmandibular augmentation or enhancement disclosed herein.

FIGS. 5A-D shows an exemplary single-piece mandibular implant 500 shapedto conform along a region of the mental protuberance and left and rightmental tubercles (chin) and the entire bottom portion of the body of themandible (side of jawline). Mandibular implant 500 is configured toaugment tissue from the end of the left back jaw to the end of the rightback jaw of an individual. Mandibular implant 500 comprises a mentalarch 510, a left lateral arm 520 and right lateral arm 530 (please notethat the dashed line demarcate mental arch 510 from each of left andright lateral arms 520, 530. Mental arch 510 comprises an outer surface512 and inner surface 514, a top 516 and a bottom 518. Mental arch 510is sized and dimensioned to conform to the general shape of a region ofthe mental protuberance and left and right mental tubercles (chin) andinner surface 514 of mental arch 510 is configured to properly seat onthe top surface of a region of the mental protuberance and left andright mental tubercles. Left lateral arm 520 comprises an outer surface522 and inner surface 524, a top 526 and a bottom 528. Similarly, rightlateral arm 530 comprises an outer surface 532 and inner surface 534, atop 536 and a bottom 538. Left and right lateral arms 520, 530 are eachis sized and dimensioned to conform to the general shape of the bottomportion of the body of the mandible. Additionally, inner surface 524 ofleft lateral arm 520 and inner surface 534 of right lateral arm 530 areeach configured to properly seat on the top surface of their respectivebottom portion of the mandibular body. Left and right lateral arms 520,530 have a length that extends to the gonial angle of the mandible. Thesize and dimension of left and right lateral arms 520, 530 is shaped toimpart a narrow jawline enhancement, with the length of each armgradually tapering in height and thickness, each arm being about 2 mm to3 mm high and about 1 mm to 2 mm in thickness.

FIGS. 6A-D shows an exemplary single-piece mandibular implant 600 shapedto conform along the a region of the mental protuberance and left andright mental tubercles (chin) and a section of a bottom portion of thebody of the mandible (side of jawline). As such, mandibular implant 600is configured to augment tissue from a point laying midway between theattachment location of the left mandibular osteocutaneous ligament andleft back jaw to a point laying midway between the attachment locationof the right mandibular osteocutaneous ligament and the right back jawof an individual. Mandibular implant 600 comprises a mental arch 610, aleft lateral arm 620 and right lateral arm 630 (please note that thedashed line demarcate mental arch 610 from each of left and rightlateral arms 620, 630. Mental arch 610 comprises an outer surface 612and inner surface 614, a top 616 and a bottom 618. Mental arch 610 issized and dimensioned to conform to the general shape of a region of themental protuberance and left and right mental tubercles and innersurface 614 of mental arch 610 is configured to properly seat on the topsurface of a region of the mental protuberance and left and right mentaltubercles. Left lateral arm 620 comprises an outer surface 622 and innersurface 624, a top 626 and a bottom 628. Similarly, right lateral arm630 comprises an outer surface 632 and inner surface 634, a top 636 anda bottom 638. Left and right lateral arms 620, 630 are each is sized anddimensioned to conform to the general shape of the bottom portion of thebody of the mandible. Additionally, inner surface 624 of left lateralarm 620 and inner surface 634 of right lateral arm 630 are eachconfigured to properly seat on the top surface of their respectivebottom portion of the mandibular body. Left and right lateral arms 620,630 have a length that extends along the jawline to midway between theattachment location of the mandibular osteocutaneous ligament and thegonial angle of the mandible. The size and dimension of left and rightlateral arms 520, 530 is shaped to impart a full jawline enhancement,with the length of each arm gradually tapering in height and thickness,each arm being about 3 mm to 5 mm high and about 2 mm to 3.5 mm inthickness.

FIGS. 7A-D shows an exemplary single-piece mandibular implant 700 shapedto conform along a region of the mental protuberance and left and rightmental tubercles (chin) and the entire bottom portion of the body of themandible (side of jawline). Mandibular implant 700 is configured toaugment tissue from the end of the left back jaw to the end of the rightback jaw of an individual. Mandibular implant 700 comprises a mentalarch 710, a left lateral arm 720 and right lateral arm 730 (please notethat the dashed line demarcate mental arch 710 from each of left andright lateral arms 720, 730. Mental arch 710 comprises an outer surface712 and inner surface 714, a top 716 and a bottom 718. Mental arch 710is sized and dimensioned to conform to the general shape of a region ofthe mental protuberance and left and right mental tubercles and innersurface 714 of mental arch 710 is configured to properly seat on the topsurface of a region of the mental protuberance and left and right mentaltubercles. Left lateral arm 720 comprises an outer surface 722 and innersurface 724, a top 726 and a bottom 728. Similarly, right lateral arm730 comprises an outer surface 732 and inner surface 734, a top 736 anda bottom 738. Left and right lateral arms 720, 730 are each is sized anddimensioned to conform to the general shape of the bottom portion of thebody of the mandible. Additionally, inner surface 724 of left lateralarm 720 and inner surface 734 of right lateral arm 730 are eachconfigured to properly seat on the top surface of their respectivebottom portion of the mandibular body. Left and right lateral arms 720,730 have a length that extends to the gonial angle of the mandible. Thesize and dimension of left and right lateral arms 720, 730 is shaped toimpart a full jawline enhancement, with the length of each arm graduallytapering in height and thickness, each arm being about 3 mm to 5 mm highand about 2 mm to 3.5 mm in thickness. Additionally, left and rightlateral arms 720, 730 each comprise a protrusion 740 position on anouter surface 724, 734 of left and right lateral arms 720, 730respectively. Protrusions 740 are each sized and dimensioned identicallyor substantially similar to each other, are symmetrically positioned onleft and right lateral arms 720, 730 and are configured to fill in andsmooth out soft tissue defects on the side of the jaw and provide anaesthetic enhancement to the jawline.

FIGS. 8A-D shows an exemplary single-piece mandibular implant 800 shapedto conform along a region of the mental protuberance and left and rightmental tubercles (chin) and the entire bottom portion of the body of themandible (side of jawline). Mandibular implant 800 is configured toaugment tissue from the end of the left back jaw to the end of the rightback jaw of an individual. Mandibular implant 700 comprises a mentalarch 810, a left lateral arm 820 and right lateral arm 830 (please notethat the dashed line demarcate mental arch 810 from each of left andright lateral arms 820, 830. Mental arch 810 comprises an outer surface812 and inner surface 814, a top 816 and a bottom 818. Mental arch 810is sized and dimensioned to conform to the general shape of a region ofthe mental protuberance and left and right mental tubercles and innersurface 814 of mental arch 810 is configured to properly seat on the topsurface of a region of the mental protuberance and left and right mentaltubercles. Left lateral arm 820 comprises an outer surface 822 and innersurface 824, a top 826 and a bottom 828. Similarly, right lateral arm830 comprises an outer surface 832 and inner surface 834, a top 836 anda bottom 838. Left and right lateral arms 820, 830 are each is sized anddimensioned to conform to the general shape of the bottom portion of thebody of the mandible. Additionally, inner surface 824 of left lateralarm 820 and inner surface 834 of right lateral arm 830 are eachconfigured to properly seat on the top surface of their respectivebottom portion of the mandibular body. Left and right lateral arms 820,830 have a length that extends to the gonial angle of the mandible. Thesize and dimension of left and right lateral arms 820, 830 is shaped toimpart a narrow jawline enhancement, with the length of each armgradually tapering in height and thickness, each arm being about 2 mm to3 mm high and about 1 mm to 2 mm in thickness. Additionally, left andright lateral arms 820, 830 each comprise a protrusion 840 position onan outer surface 824, 834 of left and right lateral arms 820, 830respectively. Protrusions 840 are each sized and dimensioned identicallyor substantially similar to each other, are symmetrically positioned onleft and right lateral arms 820, 830 and are configured to fill in andsmooth out soft tissue defects on the side of the jaw and provide anaesthetic enhancement to the jawline.

FIGS. 9A-D shows an exemplary single-piece mandibular implant 900 shapedto conform along a region of the mental protuberance and left and rightmental tubercles (chin) and the entire bottom portion of the body of themandible (side of jawline). Mandibular implant 900 is configured toaugment tissue from the end of the left back jaw to the end of the rightback jaw of an individual. Mandibular implant 900 comprises a mentalarch 910, a left lateral arm 920 and right lateral arm 930 (please notethat the dashed line demarcate mental arch 910 from each of left andright lateral arms 920, 930. Mental arch 910 comprises an outer surface912 and inner surface 914, a top 916 and a bottom 918. Mental arch 910is sized and dimensioned to conform to the general shape of a region ofthe mental protuberance and left and right mental tubercles and innersurface 914 of mental arch 910 is configured to properly seat on the topsurface of a region of the mental protuberance and left and right mentaltubercles. Left lateral arm 920 comprises an outer surface 922 and innersurface 924, a top 926 and a bottom 928. Similarly, right lateral arm930 comprises an outer surface 932 and inner surface 934, a top 936 anda bottom 938. Left and right lateral arms 920, 930 are each is sized anddimensioned to conform to the general shape of the bottom portion of thebody of the mandible. Additionally, inner surface 924 of left lateralarm 920 and inner surface 934 of right lateral arm 930 are eachconfigured to properly seat on the top surface of their respectivebottom portion of the mandibular body. Left and right lateral arms 920,930 have a length that extends to the gonial angle of the mandible. Thesize and dimension of left and right lateral arms 920, 930 is shaped toimpart a full jawline enhancement, with the length of each arm beingabout 3 mm to 5 mm high and about 2 mm to 3.5 mm in thickness.Additionally, left and right lateral arms 920, 930 each comprise a ramusextension 950 at their respective lateral ends. Each ramus extension 950is an expansion from top 926 of left lateral arm 920 or top 936 of rightlateral arm 930 to form a discrete back jaw component (mandibular angleaugmentation). Ramus extensions 950 are each is sized and dimensioned toconform to the general shape of a portion of the ramus of the mandible.Additionally, an inner surface 952 of each ramus extension 950 isconfigured to properly seat on the top surface of their respectiveportion of the ramus. Ramus extensions 950 are each sized anddimensioned identically or substantially similar to each other and aredesigned to provide an aesthetic enhancement to the jaw.

FIGS. 10A-D shows an exemplary single-piece mandibular implant 1000shaped to conform along a region of the mental protuberance and left andright mental tubercles (chin) and the entire bottom portion of the bodyof the mandible (side of jawline). Mandibular implant 1000 is configuredto augment tissue from the end of the left back jaw to the end of theright back jaw of an individual. Mandibular implant 1000 comprises amental arch 1010, a left lateral arm 1020 and right lateral arm 1030(please note that the dashed line demarcate mental arch 1010 from eachof left and right lateral arms 1020, 1030. Mental arch 1010 comprises anouter surface 1012 and inner surface 1014, a top 1016 and a bottom 1018.Mental arch 1010 is sized and dimensioned to conform to the generalshape of a region of the mental protuberance and left and right mentaltubercles and inner surface 1014 of mental arch 1010 is configured toproperly seat on the top surface of a region of the mental protuberanceand left and right mental tubercles. Left lateral arm 1020 comprises anouter surface 1022 and inner surface 1024, a top 1026 and a bottom 1028.Similarly, right lateral arm 1030 comprises an outer surface 1032 andinner surface 1034, a top 1036 and a bottom 1038. Left and right lateralarms 1020, 1030 are each is sized and dimensioned to conform to thegeneral shape of the bottom portion of the body of the mandible.Additionally, inner surface 1024 of left lateral arm 1020 and innersurface 1034 of right lateral arm 1030 are each configured to properlyseat on the top surface of their respective bottom portion of themandibular body. Left and right lateral arms 1020, 1030 have a lengththat extends to the gonial angle of the mandible. The size and dimensionof left and right lateral arms 1020, 1030 is shaped to impart a fulljawline enhancement, with the length of each arm being about 3 mm to 5mm high and about 2 mm to 3.5 mm in thickness. Additionally, left andright lateral arms 1020, 1030 each comprise a ramus extension 1050 attheir respective lateral ends. Each ramus extension 1050 is an expansionfrom top 1026 of left lateral arm 1020 or top 1036 of right lateral arm1030 to form a discrete back jaw component (mandibular angleaugmentation). Ramus extensions 1050 are each is sized and dimensionedto conform to the general shape of a portion of the ramus of themandible. Additionally, an inner surface 1052 of each ramus extension1050 is configured to properly seat on the top surface of theirrespective portion of the ramus. Ramus extensions 1050 are each sizedand dimensioned identically or substantially similar to each other andare designed to provide an aesthetic enhancement to the jaw. Left andright lateral arms 1020, 1030 also each comprise a protrusion 1040position on an outer surface 1024, 1034 of left and right lateral arms1020, 1030 respectively. Protrusions 1040 are each sized and dimensionedidentically or substantially similar to each other, are symmetricallypositioned on left and right lateral arms 1020, 1030 and are configuredto fill in and smooth out soft tissue defects on the side of the jaw andprovide an aesthetic enhancement to the jawline.

FIGS. 11A-D shows an exemplary single-piece mandibular implant 1100shaped to conform along a region of the mental protuberance and left andright mental tubercles (chin) and the entire bottom portion of the bodyof the mandible (side of jawline). Mandibular implant 1100 is configuredto augment tissue from the end of the left back jaw to the end of theright back jaw of an individual. Mandibular implant 1100 comprises amental arch 1110, a left lateral arm 1120 and right lateral arm 1130(please note that the dashed line demarcate mental arch 1110 from eachof left and right lateral arms 1120, 1130. Mental arch 1110 comprises anouter surface 1112 and inner surface 1114, a top 1116 and a bottom 1118.Mental arch 1110 is sized and dimensioned to conform to the generalshape of a region of the mental protuberance and left and right mentaltubercles and inner surface 1114 of mental arch 1110 is configured toproperly seat on the top surface of a region of the mental protuberanceand left and right mental tubercles. Left lateral arm 1120 comprises anouter surface 1122 and inner surface 1124, a top 1126 and a bottom 1128.Similarly, right lateral arm 1130 comprises an outer surface 1132 andinner surface 1134, a top 1136 and a bottom 1138. Left and right lateralarms 1120, 1130 are each is sized and dimensioned to conform to thegeneral shape of the bottom portion of the body of the mandible.Additionally, inner surface 1124 of left lateral arm 1120 and innersurface 1134 of right lateral arm 1130 are each configured to properlyseat on the top surface of their respective bottom portion of themandibular body. Left and right lateral arms 1120, 1130 have a lengththat extends to the gonial angle of the mandible. The size and dimensionof left and right lateral arms 1120, 1130 is shaped to impart a fulljawline enhancement, with the length of each arm gradually tapering inheight and thickness, each arm being about 3 mm to 5 mm high and about 2mm to 3.5 mm in thickness. Additionally, left and right lateral arms1120, 1130 each comprise a base tab 1160 position on bottom 1128 ofinner surface 1122, 1132 of left and right lateral arms 1120, 1130respectively. Base tabs 1160 are laterally-spaced apart and isconfigured to fit underneath the edge of the left and right portions ofthe base of the mandibular body in order to secure proper placement ofmandibular implant 1100. Base tabs 1160 increase stability of mandibularimplant 1100, prevent fibrous attachment to the mandible, as well asprovide a smooth transition between different or adjacent areas of themandible.

FIGS. 12A-D shows an exemplary single-piece mandibular implant 1200shaped to conform along a region of the mental protuberance and left andright mental tubercles (chin) and the entire bottom portion of the bodyof the mandible (side of jawline). Mandibular implant 1200 is configuredto augment tissue from the end of the left back jaw to the end of theright back jaw of an individual. Mandibular implant 1200 comprises amental arch 1210, a left lateral arm 1220 and right lateral arm 1230(please note that the dashed line demarcate mental arch 1210 from eachof left and right lateral arms 1220, 1230. Mental arch 1210 comprises anouter surface 1212 and inner surface 1214, a top 1216 and a bottom 1218.Mental arch 1210 is sized and dimensioned to conform to the generalshape of a region of the mental protuberance and left and right mentaltubercles and inner surface 1214 of mental arch 1210 is configured toproperly seat on the top surface of a region of the mental protuberanceand left and right mental tubercles. Left lateral arm 1220 comprises anouter surface 1222 and inner surface 1224, a top 1226 and a bottom 1228.Similarly, right lateral arm 1230 comprises an outer surface 1232 andinner surface 1234, a top 1236 and a bottom 1238. Left and right lateralarms 1220, 1230 are each is sized and dimensioned to conform to thegeneral shape of the bottom portion of the body of the mandible.Additionally, inner surface 1224 of left lateral arm 1220 and innersurface 1234 of right lateral arm 1230 are each configured to properlyseat on the top surface of their respective bottom portion of themandibular body. Left and right lateral arms 1220, 1230 have a lengththat extends to the gonial angle of the mandible. The size and dimensionof left and right lateral arms 1220, 1230 is shaped to impart a fulljawline enhancement, with the length of each arm gradually tapering inheight and thickness, each arm being about 3 mm to 5 mm high and about 2mm to 3.5 mm in thickness. Additionally, mental arch 1210 comprises asubmental tab 1270 position on bottom 1228 of inner surface 1212 ofmental arch 1210. Submental tab 1270 is configured to fit underneath theedge of the left and right mental protuberances in order to secureproper placement of mandibular implant 1200. Submental tab 1270increases stability of mandibular implant 1200, prevent fibrousattachment to the mandible, as well as provide a smooth transitionbetween different or adjacent areas of the mandible.

FIGS. 13A-D shows an exemplary single-piece mandibular implant 1300shaped to conform along a region of the mental protuberance and left andright mental tubercles (chin) and the entire bottom portion of the bodyof the mandible (side of jawline). Mandibular implant 1300 is configuredto augment tissue from the end of the left back jaw to the end of theright back jaw of an individual. Mandibular implant 1300 comprises amental arch 1310, a left lateral arm 1320 and right lateral arm 1330(please note that the dashed line demarcate mental arch 1310 from eachof left and right lateral arms 1320, 1330. Mental arch 1310 comprises anouter surface 1312 and inner surface 1314, a top 1316 and a bottom 1318.Mental arch 1310 is sized and dimensioned to conform to the generalshape of a region of the mental protuberance and left and right mentaltubercles and inner surface 1314 of mental arch 1310 is configured toproperly seat on the top surface of a region of the mental protuberanceand left and right mental tubercles. Left lateral arm 1320 comprises anouter surface 1322 and inner surface 1324, a top 1326 and a bottom 1328.Similarly, right lateral arm 1330 comprises an outer surface 1332 andinner surface 1334, a top 1336 and a bottom 1338. Left and right lateralarms 1320, 1330 are each is sized and dimensioned to conform to thegeneral shape of the bottom portion of the body of the mandible.Additionally, inner surface 1324 of left lateral arm 1320 and innersurface 1334 of right lateral arm 1330 are each configured to properlyseat on the top surface of their respective bottom portion of themandibular body. Left and right lateral arms 1320, 1330 have a lengththat extends to the gonial angle of the mandible. The size and dimensionof left and right lateral arms 1320, 1330 is shaped to impart a fulljawline enhancement, with the length of each arm gradually tapering inheight and thickness, each arm being about 3 mm to 5 mm high and about 2mm to 3.5 mm in thickness. Additionally, mandibular implant 1300comprises base tabs 1360 on left and right lateral arms 1320, 1330position on bottom 1328 of inner surface 1322, 1332 of left and rightlateral arms 1320, 1330 respectively as well as submental tab 1370position on bottom 1328 of inner surface 1312 of mental arch 1310

FIGS. 14A-D shows an exemplary single-piece mandibular implant 1400shaped to conform along a region of the mental protuberance and left andright mental tubercles (chin) and the entire bottom portion of the bodyof the mandible (side of jawline). Mandibular implant 1400 is configuredto augment tissue from the end of the left back jaw to the end of theright back jaw of an individual. Mandibular implant 1400 comprises amental arch 1410, a left lateral arm 1420 and right lateral arm 1430(please note that the dashed line demarcate mental arch 1410 from eachof left and right lateral arms 1420, 1430. Mental arch 1410 comprises anouter surface 1412 and inner surface 1414, a top 1416 and a bottom 1418.Mental arch 1410 is sized and dimensioned to conform to the generalshape of a region of the mental protuberance and left and right mentaltubercles and inner surface 1414 of mental arch 1410 is configured toproperly seat on the top surface of a region of the mental protuberanceand left and right mental tubercles. Left lateral arm 1420 comprises anouter surface 1422 and inner surface 1424, a top 1426 and a bottom 1428.Similarly, right lateral arm 1430 comprises an outer surface 1432 andinner surface 1434, a top 1436 and a bottom 1438. Left and right lateralarms 1420, 1430 are each is sized and dimensioned to conform to thegeneral shape of the bottom portion of the body of the mandible.Additionally, inner surface 1424 of left lateral arm 1420 and innersurface 1434 of right lateral arm 1430 are each configured to properlyseat on the top surface of their respective bottom portion of themandibular body. Left and right lateral arms 1420, 1430 have a lengththat extends to the gonial angle of the mandible. The size and dimensionof left and right lateral arms 1420, 1430 is shaped to impart a fulljawline enhancement, with the length of each arm gradually tapering inheight and thickness, each arm being about 3 mm to 5 mm high and about 2mm to 3.5 mm in thickness. Additionally, mental arch 1410 comprises anextended tab 1480 position on bottom 1428 of inner surface 1412 ofmental arch 1410 and bottom 1428 of inner surface 1422, 1432 of left andright lateral arms 1420, 1430. Extended tab 1480 is configured to fitunderneath the edge of the left and right mental protuberances andunderneath the edge of the left and right portions of the base of themandibular body in order to secure proper placement of mandibularimplant 1400. Extended tab 1480 increases stability of mandibularimplant 1400, prevent fibrous attachment to the mandible, as well asprovide a smooth transition between different or adjacent areas of themandible.

FIG. 15 shows an exemplary single-piece mandibular implant 1500 shapedto conform along a region of the mental protuberance and left and rightmental tubercles (chin) and the entire bottom portion of the body of themandible (side of jawline). Mandibular implant 1500 is configured toaugment tissue from the end of the left back jaw to the end of the rightback jaw of an individual. Mandibular implant 1400 comprises a mentalarch 1510, a left lateral arm 1520 and right lateral arm 1530 (pleasenote that the dashed line demarcate mental arch 1510 from each of leftand right lateral arms 1420, 1530. Mental arch 1510 comprises an outersurface 1512 and inner surface 1514, a top 1516 and a bottom 1518.Mental arch 1510 is sized and dimensioned to conform to the generalshape of a region of the mental protuberance and left and right mentaltubercles and inner surface 1514 of mental arch 1510 is configured toproperly seat on the top surface of a region of the mental protuberanceand left and right mental tubercles. Left lateral arm 1520 comprises anouter surface 1522 and inner surface 1524, a top 1526 and a bottom 1528.Similarly, right lateral arm 1530 comprises an outer surface 1532 andinner surface 534, a top 1536 and a bottom 1538. Left and right lateralarms 1520, 1530 are each is sized and dimensioned to conform to thegeneral shape of the bottom portion of the body of the mandible.Additionally, inner surface 1524 of left lateral arm 1520 and innersurface 1534 of right lateral arm 1530 are each configured to properlyseat on the top surface of their respective bottom portion of themandibular body. Left and right lateral arms 1520, 1530 have a lengththat extends to the gonial angle of the mandible. The size and dimensionof left and right lateral arms 1520, 1530 is shaped to impart a fulljawline enhancement, with the length of each arm gradually tapering inheight and thickness, each arm being about 3 mm to 5 mm high and about 2mm to 3.5 mm in thickness. Additionally, mental arch 1510 comprises anextended tab 1580 position on bottom 1528 of inner surface 1512 ofmental arch 1510 and bottom 1528 of inner surface 1522, 1532 of left andright lateral arms 1520, 1530. Extended tab 1580 is configured to fitunderneath the edge of the left and right mental protuberances andunderneath the edge of the left and right portions of the base of themandibular body in order to secure proper placement of mandibularimplant 1500. Extended tab 1580 increases stability of mandibularimplant 1500, prevent fibrous attachment to the mandible, as well asprovide a smooth transition between different or adjacent areas of themandible. Left and right lateral arms 1520, 1530 also each comprise twoprotrusions 1540 position on an outer surface 1524, 1534 of left andright lateral arms 1520, 1530 respectively. Protrusions 1540 are eachsized and dimensioned identically or substantially similar to eachother, are symmetrically positioned on left and right lateral arms 1520,1530 and are configured to fill in and smooth out soft tissue defects onthe side of the jaw and provide an aesthetic enhancement to the jawline.

In closing, foregoing descriptions of embodiments of the presentinvention have been presented for the purposes of illustration anddescription. It is to be understood that, although aspects of thepresent invention are highlighted by referring to specific embodiments,one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that these describedembodiments are only illustrative of the principles comprising thepresent invention. As such, the specific embodiments are not intended tobe exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed.Therefore, it should be understood that embodiments of the disclosedsubject matter are in no way limited to a particular element, compound,composition, component, article, apparatus, methodology, use, protocol,step, and/or limitation described herein, unless expressly stated assuch.

In addition, groupings of alternative embodiments, elements, stepsand/or limitations of the present invention are not to be construed aslimitations. Each such grouping may be referred to and claimedindividually or in any combination with other groupings disclosedherein. It is anticipated that one or more alternative embodiments,elements, steps and/or limitations of a grouping may be included in, ordeleted from, the grouping for reasons of convenience and/orpatentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, thespecification is deemed to contain the grouping as modified, thusfulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in theappended claims.

Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatcertain changes, modifications, permutations, alterations, additions,subtractions and sub-combinations thereof can be made in accordance withthe teachings herein without departing from the spirit of the presentinvention. Furthermore, it is intended that the following appendedclaims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include allsuch changes, modifications, permutations, alterations, additions,subtractions and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit andscope. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is not to belimited to that precisely as shown and described by this specification.

Certain embodiments of the present invention are described herein,including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out theinvention. Of course, variations on these described embodiments willbecome apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading theforegoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employsuch variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the presentinvention to be practiced otherwise than specifically described herein.Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalentsof the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permittedby applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-describedembodiments in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by theinvention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearlycontradicted by context.

The words, language, and terminology used in this specification is forthe purpose of describing particular embodiments, elements, steps and/orlimitations only and is not intended to limit the scope of the presentinvention, which is defined solely by the claims. In addition, suchwords, language, and terminology are to be understood not only in thesense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by specialdefinition in this specification structure, material or acts beyond thescope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus, if an element, step orlimitation can be understood in the context of this specification asincluding more than one meaning, then its use in a claim must beunderstood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by thespecification and by the word itself.

The definitions and meanings of the elements, steps or limitationsrecited in a claim set forth below are, therefore, defined in thisspecification to include not only the combination of elements, steps orlimitations which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure,material or acts for performing substantially the same function insubstantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. Inthis sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitutionof two or more elements, steps and/or limitations may be made for anyone of the elements, steps or limitations in a claim set forth below orthat a single element, step or limitation may be substituted for two ormore elements, steps and/or limitations in such a claim. Althoughelements, steps or limitations may be described above as acting incertain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to beexpressly understood that one or more elements, steps and/or limitationsfrom a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from thecombination and that the claimed combination may be directed to asub-combination or variation of a sub-combination. As such,notwithstanding the fact that the elements, steps and/or limitations ofa claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must beexpressly understood that the invention includes other combinations offewer, more or different elements, steps and/or limitations, which aredisclosed in above combination even when not initially claimed in suchcombinations. Furthermore, insubstantial changes from the claimedsubject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, nowknown or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalentlywithin the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now orlater known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to bewithin the scope of the defined elements. Accordingly, the claims arethus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated anddescribed above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviouslysubstituted and also what essentially incorporates the essential idea ofthe invention.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing a characteristic,item, quantity, parameter, property, term, and so forth used in thepresent specification and claims are to be understood as being modifiedin all instances by the term “about.” As used herein, the term “about”means that the characteristic, item, quantity, parameter, property, orterm so qualified encompasses a range of plus or minus ten percent aboveand below the value of the stated characteristic, item, quantity,parameter, property, or term. Accordingly, unless indicated to thecontrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification andattached claims are approximations that may vary. For instance, as massspectrometry instruments can vary slightly in determining the mass of agiven analyte, the term “about” in the context of the mass of an ion orthe mass/charge ratio of an ion refers to +/−0.50 atomic mass unit. Atthe very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of thedoctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numericalindication should at least be construed in light of the number ofreported significant digits and by applying ordinary roundingtechniques.

Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and values setting forth thebroad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical rangesand values set forth in the specific examples are reported as preciselyas possible. Any numerical range or value, however, inherently containscertain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation foundin their respective testing measurements. Recitation of numerical rangesof values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method ofreferring individually to each separate numerical value falling withinthe range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value of anumerical range is incorporated into the present specification as if itwere individually recited herein.

Use of the terms “may” or “can” in reference to an embodiment or aspectof an embodiment also carries with it the alternative meaning of “maynot” or “cannot.” As such, if the present specification discloses thatan embodiment or an aspect of an embodiment may be or can be included aspart of the inventive subject matter, then the negative limitation orexclusionary proviso is also explicitly meant, meaning that anembodiment or an aspect of an embodiment may not be or cannot beincluded as part of the inventive subject matter. In a similar manner,use of the term “optionally” in reference to an embodiment or aspect ofan embodiment means that such embodiment or aspect of the embodiment maybe included as part of the inventive subject matter or may not beincluded as part of the inventive subject matter. Whether such anegative limitation or exclusionary proviso applies will be based onwhether the negative limitation or exclusionary proviso is recited inthe claimed subject matter.

The terms “a,” “an,” “the” and similar references used in the context ofdescribing the present invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. Further, ordinal indicators—such as, e.g., “first,” “second,”“third,” etc.—for identified elements are used to distinguish betweenthe elements, and do not indicate or imply a required or limited numberof such elements, and do not indicate a particular position or order ofsuch elements unless otherwise specifically stated. All methodsdescribed herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwiseindicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The useof any and all examples or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) providedherein is intended merely to better illuminate the present invention anddoes not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwiseclaimed. No language in the present specification should be construed asindicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of theinvention.

When used in the claims, whether as filed or added per amendment, theopen-ended transitional term “comprising”, variations thereof such as,e.g., “comprise” and “comprises”, and equivalent open-ended transitionalphrases thereof like “including”, “containing” and “having”, encompassall the expressly recited elements, limitations, steps, integers, and/orfeatures alone or in combination with unrecited subject matter; thenamed elements, limitations, steps, integers, and/or features areessential, but other unnamed elements, limitations, steps, integers,and/or features may be added and still form a construct within the scopeof the claim. Specific embodiments disclosed herein may be furtherlimited in the claims using the closed-ended transitional phrases“consisting of” or “consisting essentially of” (or variations thereofsuch as, e.g., “consist of”, “consists of”, “consist essentially of”,and “consists essentially of”) in lieu of or as an amendment for“comprising.” When used in the claims, whether as filed or added peramendment, the closed-ended transitional phrase “consisting of” excludesany element, limitation, step, integer, or feature not expressly recitedin the claims. The closed-ended transitional phrase “consistingessentially of” limits the scope of a claim to the expressly recitedelements, limitations, steps, integers, and/or features and any otherelements, limitations, steps, integers, and/or features that do notmaterially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimedsubject matter. Thus, the meaning of the open-ended transitional phrase“comprising” is being defined as encompassing all the specificallyrecited elements, limitations, steps and/or features as well as anyoptional, additional unspecified ones. The meaning of the closed-endedtransitional phrase “consisting of” is being defined as only includingthose elements, limitations, steps, integers, and/or featuresspecifically recited in the claim, whereas the meaning of theclosed-ended transitional phrase “consisting essentially of” is beingdefined as only including those elements, limitations, steps, integers,and/or features specifically recited in the claim and those elements,limitations, steps, integers, and/or features that do not materiallyaffect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed subjectmatter. Therefore, the open-ended transitional phrase “comprising” (andequivalent open-ended transitional phrases thereof) includes within itsmeaning, as a limiting case, claimed subject matter specified by theclosed-ended transitional phrases “consisting of” or “consistingessentially of.” As such, the embodiments described herein or so claimedwith the phrase “comprising” expressly and unambiguously providedescription, enablement, and support for the phrases “consistingessentially of” and “consisting of.”

Lastly, all patents, patent publications, and other references cited andidentified in the present specification are individually and expresslyincorporated herein by reference in their entirety for the purpose ofdescribing and disclosing, for example, the compositions andmethodologies described in such publications that might be used inconnection with the present invention. These publications are providedsolely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the presentapplication. Nothing in this regard is or should be construed as anadmission that the inventors are not entitled to antedate suchdisclosure by virtue of prior invention or for any other reason. Allstatements as to the date or representation as to the contents of thesedocuments are based on the information available to the applicant and donot constitute any admission as to the correctness of the dates orcontents of these documents.

1. A mandibular implant comprising: a body having a substantiallyU-shaped structure comprising a first end region and a second endregion, the body sized and dimensioned to an axial length configured toextend from a point laying in a region between an attachment location ofa left mandibular osteocutaneous ligament and a left gonial angle to aregion between the attachment location of the right mandibularosteocutaneous ligament and the right gonial angle.
 2. The mandibularimplant of claim 1, wherein the axial length extends past the attachmentlocation of the left mandibular osteocutaneous ligament by about 3 mm toabout 5 cm and extends past the attachment location of the rightmandibular osteocutaneous ligament by about 3 mm to about 5 cm.
 3. Themandibular implant of claim 1, wherein the axial length extends to theleft gonial angle and to the right gonial angle.
 4. The mandibularimplant of claim 1, wherein the body comprising a mental arch, a leftlateral arm, and a right lateral arm.
 5. The mandibular implant of claim1, wherein the body further comprises one or more protrusions projectingradially outward from an outer surface of the body.
 6. The mandibularimplant of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises a ramus extensionprojecting superiorly from a top edge of the first end region of thebody and a ramus extension projecting superiorly from a top edge of thesecond end region of the body.
 7. The mandibular implant of claim 1,wherein the body further comprises one or more tabs projectingposteriorly from an inner surface of the body.
 8. The mandibular implantof claim 1, wherein the one or more tabs comprise a base tab, asubmental tab, an extended tab, or any combination thereof.
 9. Themandibular implant of claim 1, wherein an outer surface and an innersurface of the body, the outer surface being smooth, the inner surfacebeing smooth, or both the outer and inner surfaces being smooth.
 10. Themandibular implant of claim 1, wherein the body comprises an outersurface and an inner surface, the outer surface being textured, theinner surface being textured, or both the outer and inner surfaces beingtextured.
 11. The mandibular implant of claim 1, wherein the body isflexible.
 12. The mandibular implant of claim 1, wherein the body iscomposed of implantable biomaterial.
 13. The method of claim 12, whereinthe implantable biomaterial comprises silicone.
 14. The mandibularimplant of claim 1, wherein the body comprises an outer shell and aninner core.
 15. The mandibular implant of claim 14, wherein the shellhas one unitary layer or a plurality of layers.
 16. The mandibularimplant of claim 1, wherein the body is configured to be substantiallyfilled with a filler.
 17. A method of mandibular augmentation orenhancement, comprising: accessing one or more segments of a left and/ora right anterior mental fibrous condensation; releasing one or moresegments of the left and/or the right anterior mental fibrouscondensation from their one or more respective mandibular attachmentsites; subperiosteally releasing one or more mandibular ligaments fromtheir respective one or more mandibular attachment points to form asubperiosteal implantation cavity; and inserting of a mandibular implantaccording to claim 1 into the subperiosteal implantation cavity.
 18. Themethod of claim 17, wherein the one or more mandibular ligamentscomprises a left medial mandibular ligament, a left mandibulocutaneousligament, a right medial mandibular ligament, a right mandibulocutaneousligament, or any combination thereof.
 19. The method of claim 17,wherein the subperiosteal implantation cavity formed extends laterallypast a point posterior to an attachment site of a mandibulocutaneousligament.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the inserted mandibularimplant augments a jaw area from a point posterior to an attachment siteof a left mandibulocutaneous ligament to a point posterior to anattachment site of a right mandibulocutaneous ligament.